Virtual ToursWindsor Real Estate April 8, 2019

Stunning Home in Fossil Ridge!

Amazing detail in this luxurious home surrounded by open space at 5709 Aksarben Drive in Windsor! Open floor plan w/ formal dining & living, and cozy family room w/ fireplace. Enormous eat-in kitchen w/ ample cabinet& counter space, island w/ bar seating, and walk-in pantry. Main floor In-law suite, built in desk area, and huge mudroom. Gigantic master suite w/ luxury bath including dual head shower, soaker tub and his/hers walk-in closets. Bonus loft area, second master, plus tons of storage. Covered deck and beautiful views! Contact Paul Hunter for your private showing at (970) 673-7283 for more information or click the link below for more details.

http://windermerenoco.com/listing/92798876

Loveland Real EstateLuxury Real EstateVirtual Tours March 20, 2019

Luxurious Home with Mountain & Lake Views in Loveland!

Come see 2664 Bluestem Willow Dr  with hand troweled walls throughout, upgraded cabinets with soft close features in the entire home, gourmet kitchen with double oven and gas range. Huge kitchen island for prep and entertaining. Upgraded stone counters in addition to granite. Walkout basement finished with another suite with attached bath, and large family room with fireplace and wet bar. High ceilings, deck off of living room. Next to pool and trails. Recent appraisal for $750k! Contact Paul Hunter for your private showing at (970) 673-7285 for more information or click the link below for more details.

http://windermerenoco.com/listing/92801982

BlogColorado Real Estate March 6, 2019

Weatherizing your home: protecting your investment through the harsh winter months

Posted in Living by Windermere Guest Author 

200133977-001It seems the winter is settling in early through much of the West Coast this year, with October frost and early winter warnings. Last week The Seattle Times reported, “This year will bring the most intense La Niña conditions since 1955 … Meteorologists say more rain, colder temperatures and bigger snowstorms are likely.” Whether the meteorologists are right this year or not, now is the time to do some home repair so you can enjoy the winter inside your warm house.

Weatherizing your home should be more than just packing in your patio furniture, checking your furnace and cleaning out your rain gutters, though these make a big difference in preparing your home and avoiding December disasters. Weatherizing your home–especially in light of harsh warnings–will protect your investment from preventable damage, save money on energy costs and, most importantly, keep your home safe and warm for you and your loved ones throughout the winter season. Here is a useful checklist to manage your weatherization project.

Getting started: Check your toolbox to make sure you have all the materials you need for home maintenance in one place. This NY Times article provides a good list of the tools you’ll really need to maintain your home. After your toolbox is put together, you can confidently begin the maintenance on your home.

Insulation: According to the Sustainable Energy Info Fact Sheet “Insulating a home can save 45-55% of heating and cooling energy”. For the best results, your home should be properly insulated from the ceilings to the basement. However, if insulating your complete home is not in your budget, the U.S. Department of Energy states, “one of the most cost-effective ways to make your home more comfortable year-round is to add insulation to your attic.” By starting in your attic and progressively adding insulation to other areas of your home over time, you will avoid spending a large sum of money up-front.

Cracks & Leaks: Do a run-through of your entire house for cracks and leaks, from your roof to your baseboards. Winter weather is unpredictable. Whether your area gets rain, wind or snow, cracks in your house can lead to cold drafts or leaks that cause water damage. Do-it-Yourself.com reports, “The average house, even when well-insulated, contains cracks and gaps between building materials that add up to a hole about 14 inches square. All year long, a leaky house not only wastes energy, but can lead to water damage and provide a path for insects”.  Depending on your house type, most cracks can be easily filled with supplies from your local hardware store in a do-it-yourself fashion. Use caulk to seal any cracks in the permanent building materials.

Windows & Doors: Another common place for heat leakage is in your windows and exterior doorways. Make sure seals are tight and no leaks exist. If you have storm windows, make sure you put them on before the cold season begins. This 5 minute video, How to Caulk Windows & Doors, demonstrates how to find leaks, pick the correct tools to use, and fill in the leaks. Don’t underestimate the difference some weather strips and a door sweep can provide in preventing drafts and keeping the heat in.

Rain Gutters: Clean your rain gutters of any debris. Buildup will cause gutters to freeze with ice, crack and then leak. Once you have removed the residue from the drains, test them by running hose water to make sure cracks and leaks have not already formed.

Pipes: Pipes are a number one risk in winter climates. A burst pipe can become a winter disaster in a matter of seconds. Remember to turn off your exterior water source and take in your hose. Internally, wrapping your pipes is a recommended precaution to take. This article from Insights, Natural Hazard Mitigation advises, “Vulnerable pipes that are accessible should be fitted with insulated sleeves or wrappings, the more insulation the better”.

Heating System: What is one thing gas fireplaces, wood burning stoves, and central air heating systems all have in common? They all need to be cleaned and maintained. Check and clean your indoor heating system thoroughly. This is important to avoid dangers such as house fires. If you use an old fashioned wood stove, make sure there is no leaks and that all soot build up or nests are removed. If a furnace is what you have remember to change the filters as recommended or clean out your reusable filters.

Fireplace & Wood burning stoves: Make sure to have chimneys and air vents cleaned early in the season if you are planning on warming your home with a wood-burning source. When your fireplace is not in use make sure to close the damper, some resources estimate an open damper can increase energy consumption as much as 30%.

Outside: As we mentioned before make sure you bring your patio furniture inside (or cover) for the winter- but don’t forget other, smaller items such as your tools, including a hose and small planting pot. These items can be damaged or broken in extreme cold. Clear out any piles around the side of your house, checking for cracks as you go so to avoid providing shelter for unwelcomed guests over the cold season.

If your property has large trees check for loose branches and call someone to trim back any items that may fall in your yard, on your roof or even damage a window.

Emergency Kit: Make sure your emergency kit is up-to-date with provisions, batteries, fresh water, food for animals, entertainment for kids, etc- especially if you live in an area prone to power outages.

When it comes to protecting our investments and our families’ safety “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is a good philosophy. Your winter preparedness plan will fit your property, schedule and needs. What are some tips you have for preparing for winter? What are some of your favorite activities to do at home over the winter while weathering out a storm?

By Brittany Lockwood

You may know Brittany as the helpful voice behind the Marketing Solutions Help Desk. She grew up in Cheney, Washington so she knows a thing or two about harsh winters.

Fort Collins Real EstateVirtual Tours February 5, 2019

Stunning 2 Story Home with Sun-room in Fort Collins!

The southern exposure sun room is just one of the highlights of this 2 story home at 707 McGraw Dr in the Coventry subdivision. Walking distance to McGraw Elementary School Front Range Community College. Lots of room to spread out – 4 bedrooms & a large loft upstairs. Nonconforming 5th bedroom on the main level. Master suite features radiant floor heating in the 5-piece bath, large walk-in closet & fireplace. Great landscaping with HOA maintained green space to the east which makes property look even bigger. Call Maria Dellota or Philip Cooper for your private showing or click the link below for more details.

http://windermerenoco.com/listing/90640609

BlogFor BuyersFort Collins Real EstateHomes for SaleNorthern Colorado Real EstateVirtual Tours November 30, 2018

Fantastic Cul de Sac Home in Fort Collins!

This fantastic home at 3927 Gardenwall Ct is at the end of a cul-de-sac in the popular Waterglen neighborhood features an open floor plan with vaulted ceilings and fireplace. Your new home is move-in ready. All three bedrooms, including a great master suite are on the second floor. Enjoy the large fenced back yard adjacent to a sprawling green area, while relaxing on the large stamped concrete patio. Close to I-25 and Old Town. A beautiful home and excellent value! Contact Jon Holsten for your private showing at (970) 237-2752 for more information or click the link below for more details.

http://windermerenoco.com/listing/88744179

Loveland Real EstateVirtual Tours November 1, 2018

Beautifully Maintained Home in Loveland!

This beautifully maintained home at 5217 Georgetown Dr is welcoming the second you walk into the open main level w/modern tile fireplace, new plantation shutters, & many upgraded finishes. The lower level features another living area and fireplace, office, guest suite with barn doors. The upper level is a large master suite and 2 more bedrooms. The yard is amazing. The patio has sun shades, built-in grill – all next to a creek water feature & xeriscaping. RV parking with 8ft wide gate. This is a Windermere Certified Listing. Contact Meagan Griesel for your private showing at (970) 691-0056 for more information or click the link below for more details.

http://windermerenoco.com/listing/88131063

Fort Collins Real EstateVirtual Tours October 19, 2018

Spacious Cul-De-Sac Home in Fort Collins!

Nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac, 3215 Burning Bush in The Ponds neighborhood. This home features a main-level master suite with 5-piece bath & large walk-in closet. Sprawling kitchen with granite counter tops & plenty of cabinet space. Formal dining & living rooms with vaulted ceilings & fireplace. Nicely finished garden level basement with large rec room, bedroom, & storage. Brand new interior paint & carpet throughout! Elevated deck overlooks beautifully landscaped yard backing to green space with excellent views. Contact Jon Holsten for your private showing at (970) 237-2752 for more information or click the link below for more details.

http://windermerenoco.com/listing/87770366

Home BuildersJohnstown Real Estate October 18, 2018

Home to be Built in Johnstown!

4230 Carroway Seed Ct an ideal location, south of Scheels, near the I-25/34 interchange and Loveland Centerra. The Duncan is designed for the recreational enthusiast or car collector wanting a stunning and fresh design featuring a finished six car garage. Open concept with a gourmet kitchen, luxury finishes & hardwood flooring spanning the space. A custom designed fireplace & large windows opening up to the one of kind mountain & valley view, or bring your own custom design & let us build your dream home! Contact Jacqueline Feil for your private showing at (970) 402-7509 for more information or click the link below for more details.

http://windermerenoco.com/listing/87700276

Fort Collins Real EstateVirtual Tours October 16, 2018

Fantastic Ranch Style Townhome in Stone Ridge!

Fantastic, hard-to-find 3 bedroom ranch-style Townhome at 3500 Swanstone Dr is located in the popular Stone Ridge neighborhood. Featuring a wide-open floor plan, vaulted ceilings & brand new carpet. This home has formal living & dining areas, spacious sun room, office & large kitchen with plenty of counter space. Finished basement with bedroom, bath, large rec room & storage. Private back yard. 2-car garage. HOA includes exterior maintenance, front lawn care, trash, snow removal & neighborhood pool. An amazing home, excellent value! Contact Jon Holsten for your private showing at 970-237-2752 for more information or click the link below for more details.

http://windermerenoco.com/listing/87552585

 

Loveland Real EstateVirtual Tours August 13, 2018

Lovely Brick Ranch Style Home in Loveland!

This home at 2707 Greenland Dr boasts 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, finished basement and a 2 car garage. Enjoy your morning coffee in the relaxing sun-room just off of the kitchen. In the winter, retreat to the basement to unwind in front of the wood burning fireplace. The backyard is fully fenced with an additional shed to store all of the lawn maintenance equipment. Located close to Lake Loveland and the Benson Sculpture Park. Contact Rondi duPont for your private showing at 970-401-0123 for more information or click the link below for more details.

http://windermerenoco.com/listing/82739865