Facebook
X
Pinterest
Copy Link
With this maintenance-free home, you will now have the time to enjoy the Colorado lifestyle or lock & leave to skip the snow. 2570 Trio Falls Dr Loveland, CO is a well-maintained single-family home features a 1-car garage + additional parking spot, beautiful kitchen with pantry & one of the two bedrooms boasts a walk-in closet with custom built-ins. Live in a wonderful community with a pool, modern clubhouse, park, lakes, & a 4-mile trail that winds around two lakes where you can enjoy fishing and kayaking! Close access to I25, HWY 34, hospital, restaurants, schools, & shopping. Creatively designed, this 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom home was built for both comfort and entertainment. The HOA covers all exterior maintenance, including lawn maintenance, snow removal, landscaping, paint, roof, and management. Beautiful and bright home with a lot of natural light that would fit well as a primary home, vacation home or investment property! Contact Kelly Swift at (970) 310-4876 for your private showing for more information or click the link below for more details.
Ideas for Decorating with Plants
At the mention of interior design, the first things that often come to mind are furniture, wall art, paint colors, and other material components. However, plants are an important décor element that have the power to refresh the look and feel of any indoor space, while making your home eco-friendlier. Keep the following tips in mind when decorating your home with plants.
Consider Your Space
Before you make a trip to the nursery, think about which spaces in your home are best suited for plants. It’s also important to research the needs of the plant varieties you’re considering. By knowing how much shade and direct sunlight they need, you’ll be able to identify the best home for each plant type and the care they need to grow.
Go Vertical
Empty vertical wall spaces provide the perfect opportunity to incorporate hanging plants. Whether you use planters or install shelving, hanging plants attract the eye and bring an organic, living element to what was previously a blank canvas. Hanging herb gardens are a wonderful addition to the kitchen, allowing you to keep fresh ingredients and flavors out in the open air and within reach at all times.
Floor Plants
Floor plants are typically large and require plenty of space. Due to their size, they are often used to balance the proportion of rooms containing large furniture items like couches, desks, and tables. Common floor plants include the fishtail palm, olive trees, the rubber plant, fiddle leaf fig, and bird of paradise.
Low Maintenance Plants
For those who don’t consider themselves to be green thumbs, cacti and succulents are the way to go. Most succulents come from hot climates with little humidity and have thick tissue that stores water for long periods. Accordingly, they are lower maintenance than most other plants and require little watering.
Decorate with Terrariums
Another creative, relatively low-maintenance option for indoor gardeners is a terrarium. Terrariums are contained indoor gardens, usually in a glass container that can be left either sealed or open. Closed terrariums are self-nourishing, creating their own water cycle. Plants that grow in humid conditions are best suited for this environment. Open terrariums provide a good home for plants that need less water, like cacti and succulents. Terrariums make for eye-catching décor, with styles ranging from minimalistic to intricate.
For more information on home design and the latest trends, check out our tips on how to upgrade your bedroom, home office, and kitchen, as well as the 2021 paint color trends and principles of timeless home design.
How to Prevent Water Damage to Your Home
Water is constantly coursing through your home, flowing in and out of drain pipes, sinks, tubs, and showers. Numerous systems in our homes are dependent upon water, but the minute it runs rampant it begins to cause damage. The consequences of water damage run the gamut, from rotted drywall and mold growth to serious structural issues. The following guide will help you understand what you can do to prevent water damage in your home.
Leaks
Leaks soften wood, which invites all sorts of unwanted activity from termites, while simultaneously creating a perfect habitat for mold and mildew growth. To prevent leaks, keep your drains healthy by frequently cleaning out your drain strainers and refraining from dumping grease down your drains. Check to make sure none of your drains are leaking and if need be, repair or replace your p-traps. Drips, dark stains around your pipes, and discoloration on your ceilings and walls are all strong indicators that a leak has sprung. If you notice an inexplicable spike in your water bill, this is also a sign of a potential leak. By identifying these signs, you can begin repairs right away and stop the water damage in its tracks.
Gutter drainage
A home with weak gutter drainage is an open invitation for water damage to occur. Cleaning your gutters routinely is the best way to prevent them from clogging, which helps to avoid damage to your siding and foundation. Make sure your downspouts expel the gutter water away from your house parallel to the ground. Take a trip to the hardware store for downspout extensions and elbows to make sure that water won’t build up around your home’s foundation, especially if you live in a rainy climate.
Sump pump
Your sump pump can be your saving grace should a water emergency occur. Sump pumps move excess groundwater away from your home, preventing it from infiltrating your basement or crawl space. They are connected to the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) electrical outlet, which protects it from electrical shorts. There are two ways to test your sump pump. The first is by pouring in enough water to raise the float. If it’s working properly, the pump should activate and begin removing water from its pit. The other method is to unplug the pump’s power and plug it back in. If it does not turn on, it requires repair or replacement.
More
There are some additional steps you can take to prevent water damage to your home. Inspect your roof to identify any damaged shingles or cracks. While you’re up on the roof, take a look at your chimney. Repair any cracked or broken bricks and consider a chimney cap if you don’t already have one in place.
Water damage can be harmful to your home and your finances. Even the smallest leak can snowball into larger problems if neglected. By following the steps to prevent water damage, you’ll know if your home needs repairs before it’s too late. For more advice on preventing damage to your home, read our guides to wildfire and winter storm prevention.
Record Highs
While our temperatures felt like record lows this week, real estate prices have been hitting record highs along the Front Range.
Here is the average price for residential sales so far this year in each of our Front Range markets (includes both single-family and multi-family):
- Fort Collins = $567,000
- Loveland = $449,000
- Windsor = $537,000
- Greeley = $376,000
- Metro Denver = $544,000
These prices are generally up 10% or more compared to last year.
If you are curious to know what your personal property is worth today, even if you aren’t considering moving any time soon, we are happy to do the research for you. Just let us know!
Amazing Acreage & Barn!
It’s the quiet, peaceful lifestyle you’ve looking for! 40901 County Road 27 is tucked away on two acres off a dirt road in Weld County, this fantastic property is just minutes from both Fort Collins and Ault. The sturdy manufactured home on a permanent foundation boasts two bedrooms, one bath, large kitchen and living room, and was almost fully renovated just five years ago; fortified with heavy-duty metal siding and roof. Enclosed porch and fenced yard. Standing barn and tack-room. There’s NO metro district or HOA here, so bring on the horses, livestock, chickens, and other critters! Enjoy amazing sunrises, spectacular sunsets and starlit night skies. A rare find and awesome value! Contact Jon Holsten at (970) 237-2752 for your private showing for more information or click the link below for more details.
7 Ideas for Creating a Beautiful Yard
1. Remodel Your Patio
The best patios are durable and long-lasting. If your patio requires repair, a remodel can play a significant role in creating the beautiful backyard you envision. Think about how your patio will be used before choosing materials. For example, if you plan on using it as a dining area, an uneven material like cobblestone may not be the best choice. Design your new patio pattern, including gaps between pavers for loose materials, before getting started.
2. Upgrade Your Deck
Decks can often be the focal point of a backyard. A few upgrades can easily transform the look and feel of the space. If you are building a new deck, take your local climate into account when deciding on materials. To upgrade your existing deck, create a seating area using chairs or a bench and decorate the area with plants to make it feel more welcoming. Pergolas and patio umbrellas will help to keep the area shady and cool while adding some color to the space. If you are rebuilding, consider building in seating during construction.
3. Start a Vegetable Garden
Gardens don’t just pop up in your backyard overnight, they take time to grow. Start by building your garden beds, aligning them north to south for maximum sunlight. Choose an area of your backyard where your veggies will have direct access to sunlight, without being blocked by shade from trees and shrubs. Research your local climate to determine which vegetables you should grow and what kind of yield you can expect. To protect your garden from weeds, insert a barrier in the bottom of the beds.
4. Edge Your Walkways
Nothing catches the eye in the garden like clean, crisp edging. Edging comes in a variety of materials, from plastic to more durable options like aluminum or steel. Before you install the edging, use a lawn edger or spade to make the cuts and shape the pattern. Tap the edging it into the ground with a mallet to solidify it into the ground and to protect it from animals.
5. Add Landscape Lighting
A beautiful backyard deserves to be enjoyed around the clock. Landscaping lighting can extend those days spent in the yard well into the nighttime. There is an array of landscaping lighting options to choose from, including spotlights, floodlights, in-ground lighting, outdoor post lights, and more. Choose the one that best highlights the features of your yard.
6. Install a Fire Pit
Fire pits help to tie a backyard together. The style of your fire pit should match other features in your backyard to bring cohesiveness to the space. Traditional fire pits are usually accompanied by circular seating, while more modern options like fire troughs provide a centerpiece to take in surrounding views. Wood fire pits provide a classic, crackling environment, gas pits burn cleaner than wood and come with an on-off switch, while gel-powered fire pits create a smaller frame and are typically used for accent lighting.
7. Add Garden Containers
Garden containers of all shapes and sizes can be very useful in the yard, especially for homeowners with limited garden space. By adding pots, wooden boxes, or bowls to your yard, you’ll provide a flexible home for a variety of plant life. Just make sure each container has proper drainage holes. If not, you’ll need to make the holes yourself, or you can opt for self-watering pots.
Upgraded Two-Story!
709 La Cruz Dr Fort Collins, CO is beautifully maintained and upgraded. The entire home is well lit with natural sunlight and is very comfortable. Brand new, oversized Anderson sliding glass door opens to a massive patio with great outdoor lighting for night gatherings. Dog run on the side of the home and garden beds in the back of this large yard. The garage is 4-car, one spot is tandem, features a 8ft and a 9ft door, and 220 electrical. Three bedrooms, laundry room, and 2 bathrooms upstairs – the primary bedroom is generously sized. In boundaries of the new middle/high school at Prospect. Showings start on Friday 4/16 at noon. Contact Meagan Griesel at (970) 691-0056 for your private showing for more information or click the link below for more details.
Taft Canyon Beauty!
Gorgeous 5-bedroom home on a cul-de-sac and huge lot in the highly coveted Taft Canyon neighborhood! 2305 Nottingham Ct is nestled along the foothills in Southwest Fort Collins, your new home features a spacious kitchen with wood floors, granite countertops, stainless appliances and plenty of storage. This home, with classy character, also boasts a separate dining room, a separate living room with vaulted ceilings, and a sprawling family room with a wood-burning fireplace. Three large bedrooms on the upper level, including a beautiful master suite with a luxury bath and walk-in closet. Large, finished walk-out basement with rec room, bath and two more bedrooms. Entertain or relax on the massive canopy-covered deck overlooking the sprawling tree-filled back yard with garden beds and a zip-line! New paint inside and out! Super close to Horsetooth Reservoir, bike trails and most any outdoor recreation activity! Truly… an amazing home! Contact Jon Holsten at (970) 237-2752 for your private showing for more information or click the link below for more details.
7 Costly Mistakes in the Selling Process
Sellers dream of a flawlessly executed home sale where everything goes smoothly, and they end up with a satisfied buyer. To achieve this ideal end goal, it’s important to be aware of the mistakes along the way that could potentially derail the sale. Mistakes in the selling process come in all sizes, but some can be more costly than others.
1. Incorrect Pricing
Simply put, sellers want to get the most value for their home. Inaccurately priced homes create complications in the selling process and can be costly. Overpriced homes are unable to compete with other homes in a more expensive bracket, reducing its appeal to buyers. The longer a home stays on the market, the more likely the seller will have to lower the price, and this could result in a final asking price that is well below what the home is worth. Underpricing can be used as a strategy to generate added interest among buyers and thereby drive up the home’s market value, but it requires that a bidding war take place among buyers.
2. Underestimating Selling Costs
There are many costs associated with selling a home that can easily pile up if not planned for. Commission fees take up a significant portion of selling costs, typically between five to six percent of the sale price. Sellers must budget for home inspections, making repairs, and staging the home to get it market-ready. During closing, sellers need to prepare for various costs including sales tax, attorney fees, and any fees related to the transfer of the title, and more. Not accounting for any of these costs can come as an unpleasant surprise.
3. Selling When Underwater
It may be tempting to think of selling a home solely as a revenue-generating event. However, if a seller still owes more on their mortgage than what their home is worth, or if the property has gone down in value, they still may not make enough money on the sale to pay off the mortgage. Any homeowner who finds themselves underwater on their mortgage should consider building more equity before they sell.
4. Selling FSBO
Selling a home “For Sale By Owner” (FSBO) presents sellers with the opportunity to save on commission fees but is a complex and risky process that can easily lead to serious costs. Not only does selling FSBO mean that the seller will incur all costs an agent would have taken on to market the home, but they are accepting added liability as well. If any mistake occurs during the offer process, negotiations, or closing, the seller finds themselves without the representation of an experienced professional. This leaves a great opportunity for costly mistakes that could potentially jeopardize the sale.
5. Failing to Disclose Repairs
If a seller fails to disclose any outstanding repairs and issues inherent in the home, they will likely come to light during the buyer’s inspection and can create a very costly situation for the seller. These losses can be avoided by being transparent about what repairs are needed ahead of time. Sellers can also opt to conduct a pre-listing inspection, which can be especially helpful in competitive markets. Disclosure rules vary by state.
6. Neglecting to Stage Your Home
Home staging is a critical element for getting the most value for a home and selling it quickly. By neglecting to stage, sellers are opening the door for lowered offers and reduced sale prices. The staging process is also the perfect time for sellers to inspect their home for any minor or cosmetic repairs that can be addressed quickly.
7. Not Choosing the Best Offer
Naturally, the highest offer received on a home may seem like the most enticing. But just because an offer may be higher than another doesn’t mean it’s the best one. It’s critical for sellers to communicate with their agent about the full terms of the offer to understand its contingencies, how it affects their bottom line, and how those components align with their needs and preferences.
If you’d like more information on selling your home and how to avoid costly mistakes, an experienced Windermere agent is ready to help. Click here to connect with an agent today.
Quaint Drake Property!
Mountain living at its best! 325 Waltonia Road is a quaint 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom cabin in Drake has so much to offer and more. Picture sitting on the newly refinished deck enjoying your coffee and the sounds of breeze whistling through the trees as the sun comes up or cozying up on the couch with the fireplace going, watching your favorite movie! The open living space flows from the kitchen, into and living space and finally into the bedroom. The loft is a bonus area for additional sleeping space if needed. The home includes a storage shed to keep all your additional supplies onsite. This cabin is being sold furnished including dishes, pots and pans, cleaning supplies etc! It is truly move in ready! All you need to do is come and enjoy all the wildlife and serenity the home has to offer. Contact Rondi duPont at (970) 401-0123 for your private showing for more information or click the link below for more details.
