At Home Colorado: Boulder County Edition

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ATHOMECOLORADO.COM

COLORADO HOME & REAL ESTATE

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Mary Hill

Duane Duggan

Tom Kalinski

Jeff Ostrowski

Hunter Boyce Sarah Huber

Paul F. P. Pogue

Cathy Hobbs Katie Laughridge

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS

Thais Hafer, Toni McNeill

REAL ESTATE

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Mary Romano

MANAGING EDITOR

Greg Stone

REALESTATE Marry the house, date the rate

Interest rates are a bone of contention in the current housing market. They reached historic lows in the past few years and their rise is causing consternation to buyers and sellers alike.

For example, a $1 million loan at 4.25% has a $4919 per month mortgage payment (principle plus interest). That same loan at 7.25% is $6821 per month. Don’t panic You can buy down the rate for about $5000 per point. Bringing the rate down to 4.25% would cost about $15,000, a substantial amount. However, you would save almost $2000 a month in mortgage payments, making the payback period for that up-front money only 7.5 months.

Similarly, a $500,000 loan at 7.25% is $3410.88 per month and at 4.25% is $2459.70 per month. A $15,000 interest rate buy down would pay for itself in 15 months. Buying down the

HOME & GARDEN EVENTS

“Tipi to Tiny House: HandsOn Homebuilding” exhibit

PresentedbyLongmont Museum, Now through Jan. 8, 2022. $8 Adults. $5 Students/Seniors. longmontmuseum.org.

Friends of the Longmont Library Fall Book Sale

Oct. 28 & 29, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m

Oct. 30, 1 to 3:30 p.m

interest rate is definitely worth considering in this market.

The seller could help with the rate buy down or perhaps a family member could gift you with the extra cash needed at closing to get your payment down to a manageable amount.

Or, you could go ahead and lock in for the going interest rate and plan to refinance once rates

decline to an acceptable amount.

If you have found your dream home, don’t let the interest rate scare you away Marry that house. Date the rate.

Mary Hill is a Realtor at Mary Hill Properties. Call 720.272.5448, e-mail mary@maryhillproperties.com or visit maryhillproperties com

Boulder Public Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder Free. For tickets visit: signupgenius.com/go/ 10c0c48a5af2da0f49boulder31

Free. Registration required, visit: lovgov.org/Home/ Components/Calendar/Event/9 9533/20?curm=11&cury=2022

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

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©2022 Prairie Mountain Media.

Longmont Libary, 409 Fourth Ave., Longmont. Fill a Bag for $5. longmontcolorado.gov/ Home/Components/Calendar/ Event/47067/1300?curm=10&c ury=2022

Boulder U-Fix-It Clinic Oct. 30, Noon to 4 p.m

Nationwide Expo Home & Garden Nov. 4 to 6, all day Island Grove Regional Park, 501 N. 14th Ave., Greeley visitgreeley.org/event/ nationwide-expo-home-garden/

Lunch n’ Learn Gardening Class

PresentedbyNorthern ColoradoLibraries& CSUExtension Nov. 9, Noon to 1 p.m (VIRTUAL- Zoom)

Garden Workshop: Gardening for Wildlife Nov. 19, 10-11:30 a.m. Majestic View Nature Center 7030 Garrison St., Arvada majesticviewnaturecenter. arvada.org/event/gardenworkshop-gardening-forwildlife

Send At Home your home/ garden events, email gstone@ prairiemountainmedia.com. View more events at: DailyCamera.com/Calendar or TimesCall.com/Calendar.

MARY HILL

REALESTATE

Psychologically impacted or stigmatized homes

Halloween is just around the corner and it’s the time of year for haunted houses – or even downright spooky homes where strange, unusual or disturbing events have taken place.

When listing a home with a real estate agent, sellers of psychologically impacted or “stigmatized” homes often ask if a seller needs to disclose a something such as a murder or suicide occurring on the property. The answer is not the same across all states, but luckily, in Colorado, we have some guidance from the legislature. The legislation is found in C.R.S. 38-35.5-101 clarifying the answer and is shown below:

“C.R.S 38-35.5-101

Circumstances psychologically impacting real property – no duty for broker or salesperson to disclose.

(1) Facts or suspicions regarding circumstances occurring on a parcel of property which could psychologically impact or stigmatize such property are not material facts subject to a disclosure requirement in a real estate transaction. Such facts or suspicions include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) That an occupant of real

property is, or was at any time suspected to be, infected or has been infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or diagnosed with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), or any other disease which has been determined by medical evidence to be highly unlikely to be transmitted through the occupancy of a dwelling place; or

(b) That the property was the site of a homicide or other felony or of a suicide

(2) No cause of action shall arise against a real estate broker or salesperson for failing to disclose such circumstances occurring on the property which might psychologically impact or stigmatize such property”

Bottom line, according to the legislation, such information

Pexels)

does not have to be disclosed. But can it be disclosed? Yes, it can. This is a discussion that needs to happen between the seller, real estate broker and a real estate attorney. If the decision is made to disclose, a real estate broker should have that permission in writing from the seller to do so After all, practically speaking, it is unlikely such an event will remain a secret from the buyer. The day the buyer moves in, neighbors are usually anxious to share lots of information

If a home is listed by a Realtor® – or a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics – and not just a licensed agent, what does the Realtor Code of Ethics say?

It states in Article 2:

“A Realtor® shall avoid exaggeration, misrepresentation, or concealment of pertinent facts relating to the property or the transaction. Realtors shall not, however, be obligated to discover latent defects in the property, to advise on matters outside the scope of their real estate license, or to disclose facts which are confidential under the scope of agency or non-agency relationships as defined by state law

Standard of Practice 2.5 further states: Factors defined as “nonmaterial” by law or regulation or which are expressly referenced in law or regulation as not being subject to disclosure are considered not “pertinent” for purposes of Article 2.

As explained above, in the state of Colorado, there is legislation stating a murder or suicide is a not material fact. Therefore, non-disclosure would not be a violation of the Realtor Code of Ethics Article 2.

As always, consult with your Realtor and real estate attorney for any matters such as these for your personal situation.

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

REALESTATE

Interest rates today are at a near 15 year high, casting downward pressure on purchasing power and a psychologically gloomy effect on homebuyers across the nation But take heart, the traditionally best season to buy a house fall offers upsides worth exploring.

Okay, let’s get the downsides out of the way. According to Realtor com, headwinds are strong, including high interest rates, inflation and “overall economic volatility not seen since the Great Recession in 2008 ”

Yet, “early fall is usually the best time to buy,” says Realtor com economist Jiayi Xu. Traditionally, fall has fewer buyers in the market, upping the choices of homes and lowering the competition among homebuyers

Four key indicators are impacting the fall housing market nationwide interest rates, home prices, number of homes for sale and time on market. Right out of the gate, two strong forces are at work: higher mortgage rates and home prices.

The national home price median as of October 8, 2022 is $427,000 and prices rose 13.3% compared to the same week in 2021, reports Realtor com. Double digit price growth marked its 41st straight week representing almost 80% of the year Boulder County median sales prices increased over last year as of September 2022 in all Boulder County metros,

trends:

nationwide show upside for buyers

of time, putting “buyers and sellers on a more even footing,” expresses Realtor com

“As both buyers and sellers adjust to the rebalancing market, expectations shift, reducing the sense of urgency in the market and reinforcing the trend toward longer sale timelines,” says Xu.

In addition to current economic factors, some point to an as yet recovery from the coronavirus pandemic Reporting on the national housing market, Realtor com writes, “Today’s inventory level may be 30% higher than a year ago, but it still falls 40% short of the housing stock available in 2019.

ranging from a rise of 38% in Niwot to 1 9% in the plains area, according to statistics from the Boulder Longmont Realtors trade association (BOLO Realtors)

Compounding the financial impact of double digit price growth, mortgage rates doubled this year from around 3% to 6% plus, according to Freddie Mac.

But housing markets typically seek “balance,” and this year is no different. As mortgage rates increase, skyrocketing price growth has begun to recede. “The pace of year over year growth has remained slow,” says Xu Additionally, time on market is rising in some areas with a nationwide increase of seven days compared with a year earlier As a result, the long pressured housing inventory is seeing signs of relief Realtor com notes a “wider selection of homes on the market” with nationwide inventory up 31% over last year

Boulder County days on market through September 2022

(Photo: Pexels)

compared to the same period in 2021 shows a mixed picture Single family homes spent fewer days for sale except in five locations. Erie, Lafayette, Lyons, and Superior showed an increase of 11%, 3%, 14%, and 9% respectively, while Louisville’s increase is significantly higher at 42%, reports BOLO Realtors In other areas, homes are spending fewer days for sale, signs of a still active buyer’s market.

The nationwide signs point toward a “rebalancing” of the market which many view as a positive, healthy sign for the housing market

What does a balanced market mean? Since the COVID 19 pandemic restricted our lives to our homes, housing prices across the nation have soared And in Boulder County the effect was amplified, since home prices were already on a hot rise, even before the pandemic

Balancing the market levels the playing field with homes staying on the market for a longer period

The housing market continues to be challenging for home buyers and sellers alike, especially in Boulder County where price increase and low inventory exceed national averages

Experts suggest patience and a knowledgeable Realtor help navigate these unprecedented market challenges.

Read the articles at realtor.com/news/trends/fall housing market up to date statistics and realtor.com/news/ trends/column weekly housing update 20 august buzzword

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

TOM KALINSKI

anterns at Rock Creek

By Jeff Ostrowski Bankrate.com (TNS)

The sharp rise in mortgage rates in 2022 has hampered housing affordability and led to fewer home sales. Aside from those obvious bits of fallout, the runup in rates has also delivered a surprise: Many homeowners are choosing not to sell because they don’t want to give up the super low rates they locked in during 2020 and 2021.

In the depths of the pandemic, many homeowners refinanced into mortgages with rates of 3 percent or less. Now that rates are around 7 percent, many are deciding to simply stay put.

“Sellers are on strike,” says Mark Fleming, chief economist at title insurer First American.

Reflecting that storyline, the number of existing homes for sale in the U.S. dwindled to 1.11 million in September, down from 1.14 million in August and 1.16

million in July, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Homeowners choose not to put their homes on the market for a variety of reasons. Some are worried about finding

another home at an agreeable price, or they’re concerned about the economic outlook. Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index fell in September, its seventh consecutive monthly decline, as soaring mortgage

rates crimp affordability

Giving up a record-low rate doesn’t appeal to many homeowners, either Based on a 30-year repayment schedule, a borrower who took out a $400,000 loan last year at 3 percent is paying $1,686 a month. Borrowing the same amount at a 7 percent rate pushes the payment to $2,661 — a jump of $975 a month, or 58 percent.

That has led to what Robert Dietz, chief economist of the National Association of Home Builders, calls the “mortgage lock-in effect.”

“If you’ve got a mortgage rate of 2 or 3 percent, you’re not likely to give up that note,” says Dietz.

Some 85 percent of U.S. homeowners with mortgages have an interest rate of less than 5 percent, according to Redfin, which found that in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and

A house’s real estate for sale sign is seen in front of a home in Arlington, Virginia, on November 19, 2020 (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images/TNS)

Carter

Washington, D.C., homeowners with a rate below 3.5 percent were 7.6 percent less likely to put their homes up for sale in August than those with a rate above 3.5 percent.

The lack of homes for sale helps to prop up prices, but this new mindset is playing into a sharp slowdown in activity. Existing-home sales fell again in September, the eighth month in a row of declining sales volumes, according to NAR.

While home values have cooled in recent months, they still remain near record highs. In theory, an equity-rich homeowner could sell and apply the gains to a down payment on a new place, thereby reducing the monthly mortgage payment.

All that equity isn’t doing much to boost the pace of home sales, however, which have been dropping steadily during 2022.

While there are homeowners who need to sell because of job changes, divorce, death or other circumstances, for now, those who don’t are opting not to.

“With rates sitting above 6.5 percent for three weeks and no

indication they’ll come down before the end of the year, people are only buying and selling homes if they need to,” says Chen Zhao, economist at Redfin.

The average rate on 30 year mortgages rose to 6.92 percent last week, according to Bankrate’s national survey of large lenders, the highest reading since 2006 A year ago, the benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 3.22 percent.

The steep move has mostly been driven by the Federal Reserve. At the beginning of the pandemic, the Fed slashed rates to zero to stimulate the economy, and mortgage rates responded by plunging to record lows.

The next phase of the economy, however, saw the highest levels of inflation in four decades. The Fed responded by waging war, and its third consecutive rate hike of three quarters of a percentage point in September created upward pressure on mortgage rates.

The Fed doesn’t directly control fixed mortgage rates; the

most relevant metric is the 10year Treasury yield, which also has moved higher.

With inflation still high and the Fed poised to keep boosting rates, higher mortgage rates seem likely.

“Inflation remains hot so interest rates will need to go higher,” says Greg McBride, Bankrate’s chief financial analyst. “With the 10-year Treasury yield moving over 4 percent, mortgage rates are along for the ride and moving to 20-year highs.”

Many homeowners are coping with rising rates in part by staying in their homes. Others are swallowing higher rates and tapping home equity for renovations and other uses. This strategy allows you to keep the rock-bottom rate on your primary mortgage. You’ll pay a higher interest rate with a home equity loan or line of credit, but for now, it might make more sense to go this route and leave your 3 percent first mortgage rate untouched.

Visit Bankrate online at bankrate.com.

fall for these bathroom renovation ripoffs

modern, affordable home is a huge mistake.”

Don’t get that steam shower

A steam shower sounds like a wonderful buzzword for a house listing, but that is simply not the case. And with an average cost around $12,000 price tag, it’s unlikely you’ll recoup your investment.

“A steam shower is a popular, high-end home improvement that doesn’t deliver a return on

investment,” Christina Duffy, designer and project director at Freemodel, told Realtor. com. “There are exceptions in larger luxury homes with space to create actual steam rooms. But for most homeowners, it’s expensive to plan and install, and the footprint of the space doesn’t make it worth the investment. The whole idea is to create a place to relax, and that’s hard to do in a normal-size shower.”

By Hunter Boyce, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (TNS)

As home prices start to drop around the country in response to rising mortgage rates, many home sellers are looking for ways to increase their property values. Renovating for a return on investment can be a tricky thing, however. Many big renovation projects never make their money back.

Here are a few examples of bathroom projects that probably won’t pay for themselves when you sell.

Stay away from high-tech gadgets

According to Anton Giuroiu, an architect and interior designer and the co-founder of Homesthetics, going high-tech is not a road home sellers should travel down

“Outfitting your bathroom with too many high-tech gadgets can be a turnoff for potential buyers down the line, and lead

to higher utility bills today,” he told Realtor.com. “The cost of these devices can also add up quickly, so be selective about which ones you really need Essentials like a programmable thermostat and energy-efficient lighting won’t go out of style ”

Nicer is not always better Daniela Andreevska, vice president of content for Mashvisor, said that making your bathroom too luxurious can actually harm your home’s value.

“One renovation that reduces a home’s value related to the bathroom is making it too luxurious, especially if the property is on the lower price range and the renovated bathroom does not match the overall home style,” he told Go Bank Rates. “Luxury bathrooms with expensive tiles, dark colors and a freestanding bath can be great, but they belong to spacious, traditional, luxurious properties. But redesigning the bathroom of a relatively small,

Daniela Andreevska, vice president of content for Mashvisor, said that making your bathroom too luxurious can actually harm your home’s value (Photo: Dreamstime/TNS)

From Work To School To Play

Baseline completes the Denver/Boulder triangle with the ultimate in urban sustainable living

By Sarah Huber At Home Colorado

Nearly three years after launching its West Village neighborhood, Baseline, the 1,100 acre master planned community completing the Denver/Boulder triangle, is realizing its vision of a supremely walkable, exceptionally livable economic center. “We are on a mission to create amazing places where people can thrive Places where they can not only live, work, and play but also shop, dine, learn, volunteer, and perhaps most importantly, connect. Imagine a place where you can walk or bike 10 minutes and get all you need for daily living,” said Kyle Harris, senior vice president, master planned communities and general manager of Baseline

The home buying and rental community has responded. Baseline’s single family detached homes, paired homes and townhomes by respected local and national builders have sold briskly. A handful of single family homes by David Weekley

Homes, rowhomes by Thrive Home Builders and townhomes by Meritage Homes are ready for quick move in Last of the West Village offerings will come to market in December when Dream Finders Homes begins selling their personalized take on townhome living. PARK40 luxury studio, 1 , 2 , and 3 bedroom apartments located within the community continue to deliver great rental home options and community rich onsite amenities Parkside West, Baseline’s newest village, introduces Boulder Creek Neighborhoods, Berkeley Homes and Dream Finders Homes that will open model homes this spring. “These are lower maintenance by design, with an intentional urban feel and always designed for pedestrians, for biking and for sustainability,” said Harris. A new concept for Baseline are Built for Rent® paired homes, planned to offer up to 1,800 square feet of brand new, beautifully designed, maintenance free, amenity rich living. Finley’s new for rent townhomes are being co created by AHV Communities and McWhinney providing the right

size solution for a redefined luxury rental experience.

‘A home for everybody’

From high end single family homes around 2,560 square feet to homes closer to 1,200 square feet, Baseline offers “a home for everybody,” a purpose statement Harris doesn’t take lightly He explained, “The price to play for the area surrounding us starts at $700,000 to $800,000 and rises to over a million. We’re offering new homes in a thoughtfully planned community, some of which start in the $500s ” Baseline envisions a community of people from diverse backgrounds and ages “singles, first home buyers, young families with kids, empty nesters a community for everyone who believes in sustainability and the life Baseline offers,” Harris added

Stewardship, health, innovation

Baseline is founded upon three guiding principles: environmental stewardship,

healthy living and innovation. These principles have led Harris and his team not only to include a variety of housing options, but also to map the carbon footprint of the project and accordingly reduce energy consumption In addition, they are championing active outdoor living from the parks to the trails to a business district conceived around pedestrians, to welcoming an innovative K 12 STEM school to Baseline and cultivating the world’s first Butterfly Pavilion certified Pollinator District, a community designed to support pollinators throughout its operation.

Baseline’s commitment to conservation, and thereby to pollinators, is anchored by the relocation of Colorado’s celebrated Butterfly Pavilion, which plans to move from Westminster to an 80,000 square foot, state of the art invertebrate zoo in Baseline’s central district within the next four years Amy Yarger, horticulturalist at Butterfly Pavilion, sits on Baseline’s design review board, and thanks to Baseline’s curated planting regime, “the vision is already coming to life,” Harris said.

“We’ve gone from the land supporting almost no pollinators to our follow up census that found species they have not seen in this area and pollinators in a much higher number in general.” Butterfly Pavilion’s $55 million home at Baseline will be the global hub for invertebrate research and conservation, facilitating the study of human dependence on the insect universe and sharing a passion for invertebrates through education and observation. Pollinator gardens and Baseline greenways, tellingly dubbed “gardenways,” are under development, and onsite agriculture and community gardens will further nurture pollinators and produce seasonal harvests.

“The butterfly effect is literal and metaphorical at Baseline. It’s a fun centering idea for us because it’s obviously informing how we design the landscaping throughout the entirety of the community, but more than that, it’s providing the very intentional overlap between research and education, work and play,” Harris said “We’re planning to locate the STEM school adjacent to Butterfly Pavilion to provide a tangible onsite opportunity for experimentation in real life, and Butterfly Pavilion has given us an opportunity to recruit citizen scientists and to hopefully raise the next generation of conservationists.”

Homes, infrastructure for green living

When it comes to the planned 9,000 plus residencies, Baseline homes will adhere to above code sustainability guidelines, and water conservation is paramount. Homes will include xeric landscaping, and the community

will re use water in the parks and open space as irrigation Also, they are using rocks and mulch in select places instead of grass and plants to further conserve water Harris said, “We’re working on a sustainability program for all our vertical development and are including alternative energy, LED lighting and a whole palate of options to reduce energy consumption and water consumption and to improve air quality.”

Baseline will have more than 172 acres of natural and recreational open land. The Parklands is the name for Baseline’s green infrastructure and will link nature and city through a network of trails, gardenways, pocket parks and a regional park Providing connectivity to Broomfield’s trail system, the Parklands is anticipated to include an amphitheater, promenade and expansive fields which will anchor community gatherings, while “playgrounds and sport courts are planned as a daily invitation to stay active,” Harris said “Infrastructure is not just about roads and bridges; it’s about the softer connective tissue that brings a community together.”

Work, learn, live where you play

Expanding the vision of a thriving, connected community, Baseline’s central district is planned to feature local retailers, farm to table dining, cafes, beer gardens and year round events in the public square The commercial space will support creative companies, professional offices, a medical campus and scientific institutions The K 12 charter school Prospect Ridge Academy is accepting students, and the school adjacent to the Butterfly Pavilion will offer project based learning as part of the Adams 12 Five Star Schools educational system and bring STEM industry professionals into the classroom.

Named one of the “Top 20 Places to Live” by Money Magazine, Baseline’s home address

of Broomfield is convenient for both the urban dweller and the outdoor adventurer. Located at the junction of I 25, Northwest Parkway (E 470) and Baseline Road, Baseline offers easy access to Denver, Lafayette, Louisville and Boulder, as well as Denver International Airport. Early stage plans are underway that would ultimately provide bus rapid transport between Boulder and Brighton along Highway 7, with a stop at Baseline’s central district, and an additional stop at the proposed I 25 mobility hub that would provide access from Baseline south to Denver’s Union Station and north to Fort Collins.

“This is an exciting time for this location, as Denver is expanding to the north, and Boulder keeps growing to the east,” Harris concluded “We are at the bullseye of that intersection, close to the airport and the amenities Denver and Boulder have to offer”

To learn more, visit baselinecolorado.com.

ASKANGI

How can I protect against home fires in winter?

Smoke detectors present your initial line of defense in the event of a fire. The National Fire Protection Organization recommends installing smoke alarms inside every sleep room, on every level of the home, and outside sleeping areas. Many homes don’t meet this standard, so check your detectors and ensure you’re covered. Don’t install detectors near cooking appliances in order to prevent false alarms. Ten feet is a reasonable distance.

For added protection, use interconnected smoke alarms. These can be connected wirelessly or with wires. The crucial element is that when one sounds, they all sound to wake everyone in the house.

calm state, the more easily you’ll remember them in a crisis. Make sure everyone knows their role and where to meet afterward.

By Paul F. P. Pogue Ask Angi (TNS)

With all the commotion and activity of the holidays, don’t forget the essential steps to keep your home and family safe from fire dangers.

Most home fires take place in winter. The home is more tightly sealed up, fireplaces are burning, people are doing more inside, and sometimes electrical outlets get overloaded. For this reason, stay on top of fire safety

Test your smoke alarms once a month. Battery-operated alarms need to have the battery replaced at least every year. If you have an alarm with a permanently installed long-term battery, replace the entire alarm when it chirps.

Take care with electrical outlets. Overloading outlets with too many plugs that draw too much energy — a common issue during the holidays — can lead to a fire.

Keep your dryer lint trap and exhaust hose clean A dryer vent cleaning professional can handle this for a reasonable cost.

Create a family escape plan in the event of fire. Practice it at least a couple of times. The better you drill the details in a

Every home should have at least one fire extinguisher The best case is to have one for every level of the home. If you keep only one extinguisher, put it in the kitchen. Train everyone in the house to operate the extinguisher and ensure everyone knows where to find it. Invest in safety and property protection by installing a home fire sprinkler system. On average, this work will cost you $600. The NFPA says sprinkler systems lower the risk of fire fatalities by 81% and property damage by 70%. In fact, a properly installed system can control 96% of all fires.

Incidentally, don’t believe what you see in comedy movies about rogue sprinkler systems drenching the entire house. Only the sprinklers that are necessary to fight the fire will activate.

Many home security systems and smart-home installations offer functions that automatically alert the security monitoring station, who will call the fire department for assistance. Ask your home security pro what they can do to help.

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

HOME BUILDERS

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

24 Erie Highlands Builder: Oakwood Homes

Our region is home to more than 300,000 residents and includes some of the most diverse, natural landscapes and sustainable development along the Northern Front Range of Colorado

From open space, land use and sustainability policies to forwardthinking and compassionate human services programs, our city and town governments 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

FREDERICK

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

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

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: Cornerstone 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 Lanterns 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 Mary 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

DESIGNRECIPES

Get cozy with earth tones

By Cathy Hobbs Tribune News Service (TNS)

Blacks, browns, oranges, reds and even yellows are often considered to be earth tones that can help add warmth and coziness to a space. Earth tones work especially well in spaces that are overly cool or large and cavernous, as they add a wel coming feeling.

Looking for ways to infuse warmth into your home? Here are some top do’s and don’ts for using earth tones.

Do’s

• Do blend a neutral palette of earth tones such as brown, black and taupe.

• Do use earth tones as foundation colors to serve as a blank canvas and springboard to a color story.

• Do use earth tones to add

a sense of warmth and coziness to a space

• Do add organic elements such as greenery or succulents.

• Do incorporate textiles to

infuse earth tones into a space.

Don’ts

• Don’t overuse the same earth tone in the same

space. Use tints, tones and shades.

• Don’t be afraid to black and brown together for a rich, luxurious feel.

• Don’t overlook opportunities to incorporate earth tones in unexpected ways like a piece of artwork or furniture.

• Don’t use earth tones in spaces that are overly dark, as they may make a space feel small and closed in.

• Don’t ignore black and brown as foundation colors for other earth tones as part of an overall color scheme.

Cathy Hobbs is an Emmy Award-winning television host and a nationally known interior design and home staging expert. Email info@cathyhobbs.com or visit cathyhobbs.com.

Deep browns and neutral earth tone creams help create a warm and

living space (Photo: Scott Gabriel Morris/TNS)

By Katie Laughridge Tribune News Service (TNS)

One of my favorite things to do on a quiet weekend morning is to slip downstairs and enjoy a cup of tea and a book before anyone else is awake, snuggled up in my favorite blanket (even if it is a rare occurrence). I’m a big fan of throw blankets, though many of us tend to think of them as a utility item rather than a decor object. They can easily cozy up a sofa and dress up a design

If you were asking for my humble opinion, I’d tell you I deem throw blankets essential for any sofa (or chair or bed or bench).

We use throw blankets in a variety of ways, so I thought we’d round up some of our tried-and-true favorites to share with you. Here are several ways you can thoughtfully display throw blankets in your own space

Drape it casually

Our team is truly amazing when

it comes to the art of a casually draped throw blanket, but I promise, achieving this style at home is easier than you think. Our recommendation on this look is to feature a lightweight blanket, as it’s not as easy to achieve with a chunky or overly large one. This is also a great styling method to use for the parts of your sofa that may be a little slouchier than the rest. To achieve this look, drape your blanket over the edge of the sofa, letting it spill into the seat. Rearrange any bulkier spots. If there are spots that still don’t feel like they are working well, you can always throw a pillow over it. You’ll see in this option we used two blankets for additional texture and interest. There are no rules; have fun with it!

Add a blanket to your bedding

To some, throws are an essential part of bed styling, bringing color, texture and warmth to the bedroom. We consider them the cherry on top of an already delightfully layered space.

Whether you drape them casually or fold with precision, it can turn neutral bedding into showroom stylish. A blanket draped at the foot of the bed (don’t forget to fold in thirds, first) can make for a beautiful runner The plaid throw in this image provides beautiful balance with the fall-toned throw pillows.

Feature them folded neatly

In traditional design, you can’t go wrong with your blanket neatly folded on the seat or arm of your sofa or chair We often like to do this with lightweight throws or blankets that have great patterns we’d like to feature (cue ALL the autumnal plaids). This can be on the arm of your sofa, the back of it (centered or not), or on a seat cushion.

You can fold and feature your blanket in several ways, but our favorite is to fold in thirds. We’re also quite fond of the racing stripe, like this plaid blanket that is folded and featured at the center of this sofa. This elegant and sophisticated aesthetic requires precision, so make sure your folds are even. You can let tassels and fringes flow freely, or tuck them for a polished look.

Hide them in plain sight

We all have those throw blankets that are so comfortable, but maybe not the prettiest to look at (or perhaps they simply no longer coordinate with the decor in that space). I’ll admit to having a few, including a particular pink one from my sorority days that is just too soft to let go. But you won’t find them on display in my living room –they’re hiding in plain sight. Using a basket to roll and store extra throw blankets is a useful (and fun) way to store them when not in use I like to tuck a few decorative throws and pillows on top of my, we’ll call them “homier” quilts and blankets, for continuity We each pick our favorite blanket from the basket to use during family movie night, and when it’s time for bed, back into the basket they go.

However you decide to style your throw blankets, I hope they bring you a lifetime of coziness.

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.

Store extra pillows and blankets in decorative baskets when not in use for an unexpected design element (Handout/TNS)

OPEN HOUSES QUICK GUIDE

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ARVADA

19593 W 93rd Lane, Unit F

$525,000

Sat., Noon to 2 p.m. Mike Harris

WK Real Estate (303) 501-3621

BERTHOUD

1649 Mount Meeker Ave

$675,000

Sat. & Sun., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rollin Goering

LC Real Estate Group (970) 402-6432

BOULDER

1533 Bradley Drive

$539,000

Sun., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mike Bader

RE/MAX of Boulder (720) 273-8335

2190 Dartmouth Ave. $999,900 Sat., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Margaret Flaherty WK Real Estate (303) 668-2926

5350 Illini Way $999,900 Sat., 1 to 3 p.m. Craig Peterson WK Real Estate (303) 913-7594

315 Arapahoe Ave., #201 $1,050,000 Sun., Noon to 2 p.m. Pamela B Griffin Pamela Griffin Realty (303) 931-5321

751 Racquet Lane $1,225,000

Sun., 1 to 3 p.m. Judy Pitt WK Real Estate (303) 324-4747

2344 Mapleton Ave. $1,300,000 Sun., 1 to 3 p.m. Digger Braymiller RE/MAX of Boulder (720) 234-6390

5345 Wild Dunes Court $1,400,000 Sat., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sat., 1 to 3 p.m. Tim Goodacre milehimodern (303) 817-9300

873 Timber Lane $1,490,000 Sun., 1 to 3 p.m. Craig Peterson WK Real Estate (303) 913-7594

2300 Linden Drive $1,500,000 Sun., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shannon McGuire RE/MAX Alliance (303) 475-2297

3797 Wonderland Hill Ave. $1,595,000 Sun., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jon Hatch RE/MAX of Boulder (303) 513-2834

3663 Silverton St $1,795,000

Sat., Noon to 2 p.m.

Ken Watkins RE/MAX Alliance (720) 891-5499

3095 Stanford Ave.

$1,895,000 Sat., 1 to 3 p.m. Dana Runge WK Real Estate (303) 817-8686

3095 Stanford Ave $1,895,000

Sun., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lisa Breternitz WK Real Estate (720) 835-7038

820 16th Street

$2,650,000

Sat., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sun., 2 to 4 p.m.

Keith McQuillen WK Real Estate (303) 589-1432

BROOMFIELD

1255 W. 6th Ave.

$535,000

Sat., Noon to 2 p.m. David Scott Slifer Smith & Frampton (303) 588-8358

1150 9th Ave

$549,000

Sat., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Joel Thompson RE/MAX Alliance (303) 877-0060

DENVER

2264 W. 118th Ave. $679,700 Sat., Noon to 3 p.m. Schwanda Johann RE/MAX of Boulder (303) 638-5977

GREELEY

2029 8th Ave. $475,000 Sun., Noon to 2 p.m. Jenny Oliveira Getting WK Real Estate (970) 534-1188

LAFAYETTE

9145 Davidson Way $1,075,000 Sun., 1 to 3 p.m. Neil Kearney Kearney Realty Co. (303) 818-4055

LAKEWOOD

2405 Balsam St $697,000 Sun., Noon to 2 p.m. Jim Thomas RE/MAX Alliance (303) 543-0625

LIVERMORE

39 Mount Sherman Court $417,000 Sat., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bogdan Kaleta RE/MAX Alliance - Fort Collins (970) 215-1067

LONGMONT

1204 Jodel Lane $527,500 Sun., 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bill Sharp Colorado 1st Realty (303) 931-6098

740 Boxwood Lane $530,000 Sat., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sun., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Regan Sample eXp Realty LLC (720) 438-5585

1379 Charles Drive, Unit E4 $585,000 Sun., Noon to 2 p.m. David Scott Slifer Smith & Frampton (303) 588-8358

1501 Stardance Circle $1,099,000 Sat., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kit Magley RE/MAX Alliance (303) 775-4177

1615 Turin Drive $1,225,000 Sat., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sun., Noon to 2 p.m. Matthew Jensen WK Real Estate (303) 819-6494

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LOUISVILLE

324 Peerless St $779,000 Sun., Noon to 2 p.m. Tom Precourt RE/MAX Alliance (303) 921-9080

749 Apple Court $1,300,000 Sat., Noon to 2 p.m. Sun., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Maury Mills RE/MAX Alliance (793) 238-778

SUPERIOR 305 2nd Ave. $425,000 Sat., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Marion Fisher WK Real Estate (570) 854-5393

2320 Clayton Circle $999,999 Sat., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Barry Remington WK Real Estate (720) 373-9297

WESTMINSTER

11105 Alcott St., Unit D $305,000 Sat., Noon to 2 p.m. Meggan Kramer RE/MAX Alliance (303) 506-5052

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