10 Tips for Buying a Home in Northern Colorado - Mike Nelson Real Estate

1. Don't buy if you can't stay put.
If you can't commit to remaining in one place for at least a few years, then owning is probably not for you, at least not yet. With the transaction costs of buying and selling a home, you may end up losing money if you sell any sooner - even in a rising market. When prices are falling, it's an even worse proposition.

2. Start by shoring up your credit.
Since you most likely will need to get a mortgage to buy a house, you must make sure your credit history is as clean as possible. A few months before you start house hunting, get copies of your credit report. Make sure the facts are correct, and fix any problems you discover.

3. Aim for a home you can really afford.
The rule of thumb is that you can buy housing that runs about two-and-one-half times your annual salary. But you'll do better to use one of many calculators available online to get a better handle on how your income, debts, and expenses affect what you can afford.




4. If you can't put down the usual 20 percent, you may still qualify for a loan.
There are a variety of public and private lenders who, if you qualify, offer low-interest mortgages that require a small down payment.

5. Buy in a district with good schools.
In most areas, this advice applies even if you don't have school-age children. Reason: When it comes time to sell, you'll learn that strong school districts are a top priority for many home buyers, thus helping to boost property values.

6. Get professional help.
Even though the Internet gives buyers unprecedented access to home listings, most new buyers (and many more experienced ones) are better off using a professional agent. Look for an exclusive buyer agent, if possible, who will have your interests at heart and can help you with strategies during the bidding process.

7. Choose carefully between points and rate.
When picking a mortgage, you usually have the option of paying additional points -- a portion of the interest that you pay at closing -- in exchange for a lower interest rate. If you stay in the house for a long time -- say three to five years or more -- it's usually a better deal to take the points. The lower interest rate will save you more in the long run.

8. Before house hunting, get pre-approved.
Getting pre-approved will you save yourself the grief of looking at houses you can't afford and put you in a better position to make a serious offer when you do find the right house. Not to be confused with pre-qualification, which is based on a cursory review of your finances, pre-approval from a lender is based on your actual income, debt and credit history.

9. Do your homework before bidding.
Your opening bid should be based on the sales trend of similar homes in the neighborhood. So before making it, consider sales of similar homes in the last three months. If homes have recently sold at 5 percent less than the asking price, you should make a bid that's about eight to 10 percent lower than what the seller is asking.

10. Hire a home inspector.
Sure, your lender will require a home appraisal anyway. But that's just the bank's way of determining whether the house is worth the price you've agreed to pay. Separately, you should hire your own home inspector, preferably an engineer with experience in doing home surveys in the area where you are buying. His or her job will be to point out potential problems that could require costly repairs down the road.

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/money101/lesson8/index.htm

Home Design Tips Northern Colorado - Mike Nelson Real Estate

Simple design rules

Before you get started on updating your living space, Pam Lampe says to stop and think about what makes a room flow. Here are some design rules to keep in mind.

• Artwork – Adding apiece of artwork to your main walls can give a focal point to a room, as well as help inspire a color or texture that ties the room together. Remember the biggest wall in the room should have the biggest pieces on them. Lampe says it is important to keep the scale of the room in mind when buy-ing pieces. Also, keep rooms intimate by not lining the walls with furniture, but create groupings instead.
• Accessories – Lampe says accessories are important because they complete the space. Accessories can include pillows, floor rugs, vases and candle holders. Accessories can also help individualize your space.
• Window coverings – Window treatments can make a huge difference in a room, because it adds vertical appeal, Lampe says.
• Lighting – Lighting is often forgotten and can add a lot to a room.Lampe says homeowners should think about ambiance lighting, overhead lighting and task lighting.Updating fixtures can be simple and make a big im-pact.
• Paint – Adding paint to a room is a relatively inexpensive update. Lampe says if you feel confused when choosing a color, re-member to stick with a color from the middle down on the paints watch. If you are looking for a punch wall go with a color from the middle up.To really spice things up include some of 2010s hot tribal colors, such as sienna red or orange.
• Flooring – Changing out the flooring can also be a great update, especially if you are doing a re-model. From carpet to tile to laminates, the possibilities are limitless.

http://www.4homematters.com/refresh-your-rooms.htm

4 tips for finding the best home inspector - Northern Colorado Homes for Sale - Mike Nelson Real Estate

Buying a house is the biggest purchase you'll likely ever make. That's why you want the best possible home inspector in your corner to tell you whether that cute Colonial is your dream home … or a lemon with a rotting foundation, termites and a shaky chimney.
But first, how do you know if an inspector is rock-solid? There's a lot riding on the person you choose, after all. "You've got one shot at having the home looked at by a professional who has a professional eye and professional training to find defects," says Jim Turner, certified home inspector in Southern California.
We've grilled the experts for their top tips on how to find and vet a home inspector.

A messy frontier
There are 20,000 to 30,000 home inspectors nationwide today, estimates Turner, who is also president of the 20-year-old National Association of Home Inspectors, which has about 1,500 members. He says many inspectors were lured into the business by promises of easy money. No wonder would-be homeowners have trouble knowing whom to trust.
Unfortunately, only about half of states require any kind of certification or licensing for home inspectors. "For example, in New Mexico, there are no requirements to being a home inspector," says inspector Bill Richardson, owner of Albuquerque's Responsive Inspections and president-elect of the American Society of Home Inspectors. "You can just hang your shingle and go for it."

However, Turner adds, "Licensing doesn't solve problems with the industry." He points out that after licensing was instituted in Texas, the number of inspectors jumped several fold, as would-be inspectors signed up to benefit from the glow of respectability that a state license would give them – whether or not they actually deserved respectability, Turner says.

Tip No. 1: Don't trust an inspector simply because he or she has a state license or certification. All states that issue licenses require training, "but the training may be so minimal that it is ineffective," Turner says.
So now what? Well, move on to Lesson No. 2.

Tip No. 2: Look for an inspector who is associated with a professional inspection organization. This can help weed out the truly fly-by-night inspectors, but it won't catch all the bad actors. There is an alphabet soup of such groups, with wildly varying criteria for membership. In one, "you can send them a $60 check and you'll be a member," says Mike Kuhn, a New Jersey home inspector and co-author of "The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Home Inspections."
Look for affiliation with groups such as NAHI, the National Institute of Building Inspectors, and the American Society of Home Inspectors. These are some of the most reputable inspector associations, and their Web sites have a "find an inspector" service to locate a member in your area.
You can also study several home inspection organizations' criteria for membership: how many homes a would-be member must have inspected; how much — if any — continuing education is required; whether an exam is required for admission, etc. Each is a little different. Inspectors who are fully certified by ASHI, the nation's oldest such group, with 5,700 members, are required to have completed at least 250 paid professional home inspections and passed two written exams, for example.

Professional Services

Find local plumbers, electricians, contractors and more.


Tip No. 3: Don't just take your agent's recommendation at face value. Real-estate agents often recommend inspectors to home buyers. But that arrangement doesn't necessarily serve the home buyer well, since both agent and inspector have a financial incentive for things to go well: for the agent, a commission, and for the inspector, the possibility of repeat business from the agent. "Every single day we walk a razor's edge with that conflict of interest," Turner acknowledges. He adds, though, that "the good Realtors are going to recommend an inspector who's not going to be afraid of what he calls out."

Still, experts suggest some ways to make sure your interests are served:

• Don't be monogamous. Get more than one suggestion from your real-estate agent. Turner suggests asking for three inspectors' names. Richardson says to ask for five.
• Ask the tough questions. "Ask the agent flat out, 'Would you hire any of these to inspect your home, or your family's home?'" Turner says. "It kind of puts them on the spot." Also, ask the agent or others you know, "Who's the deal-killer in this area?" advises Ilona Bray, co-author of "Nolo's Essential Guide to Buying Your First Home." In other words, who's the crusty inspector with a reputation for mucking up deals because he finds all of a home's flaws. That's who you want.

Tip No. 4: Grill him. Once you've got an inspector in your sights, start sniffing around his résumé and asking questions. "We have a phrase: 'Inspect the inspector,'" Kuhn says.
Here's what to do:

• Check for complaints. If your state licenses inspectors, call the licensing board, or whatever body oversees them (in Texas it is the real-estate board), and ask if the inspector is active and up-to-date. Also, "ask if there are any complaints against the inspector," Turner suggests.
  
  Call the professional association to which the inspector belongs and do the same, though Turner concedes that these organizations don't see that many complaints – "maybe a dozen a year." The local Better Business Bureau could also be worth a call.

Interview the inspector. Don't be shy. Here's what to ask:

• Talk to me. First, the inspector should make time to talk to you and answer your questions, Turner says. What should you listen for? "Hesitation," Turner replies. "If he's professional, the answers should roll right off his tongue."
• Let's see the résumé. Ask about the inspector’s credentials and experience. Generally speaking, "You should have had a hammer in your hand at some point in your background to have a good grasp of construction," Turner says. Does the inspector have a professional bio that you can look at?
• Got insurance? Ask whether the inspector carries “errors and omissions insurance,” says Kuhn – which is sort of like malpractice insurance for an inspector. If he doesn’t, ask why. In some states, insurance is a licensing requirement.
• Got a guarantee? "Do you offer a guarantee?" Kuhn suggests asking. Typically, a home inspection is good for the day of the inspection, he says – but Kuhn's firm, HouseMaster, offers a written agreement that obligates the inspector to reimburse the consumer for eligible repairs that may develop during the guarantee period, regardless of whether it was an oversight on the inspector's part or just normal wear and tear.
  
  An example: If the furnace is working fine when inspected in summer, but doesn't work when flipped on in November, the inspector's firm pays for the repair, he says. "The bottom line is that a good inspector should have no problem standing behind their inspection with a written guarantee for a reasonable amount of time after the inspection," Kuhn says.
• Get it in writing. Ask if the inspector puts his findings into a narrative-style report; that's what you want – not just a long checklist.
  
  
  Ask to see a sample; it's often available on the inspector's Web site. Look at it to assess whether you're comfortable with the language and can understand it. Also see that the inspector is thorough, and covers all of the areas that the organization he belongs to says he will cover in its standards of practice, Richardson says — inside, outside, chimney, heating system, etc.
• Invite yourself. Before hiring the inspector, ask to come along when the home is examined. "Another red flag would be if they don't want you to go on the home inspection with them," Kuhn says. A home inspection usually takes three to four hours. Unless a team is examining the home, be suspicious of anyone who tells you it will take 45 minutes.

With a little inspecting of your own, you'll likely end up with a home that contains no unhappy surprises. And that's a happy ending for everyone.

http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=13107859

Home Repairs to Do Before You Refinance - Northern Colorado Homes for Sale - Mike Nelson Real Estate KW

Property values have come roaring back. Many can now refinance their loans by virtue of having additional home equity. And increased property values can also put homeowners in a better financial position to sell their home without entering short sale territory. But the fact remains: Everyone wants to attain maximum value for their real estate and home repairs can help.
So what’s the best barometer of a home’s true worth? Simple: the amount a ready, willing and able buyer is willing to pay at any given point in time. Unfortunately, appraisal estimates can be skewed, especially when not all the home repairs and improvements are taken into consideration. This is why you should weigh all home improvement decisions carefully before you commit.
When You’re Refinancing
Unlike in years past, the weight of an appraisal to determine the home value for the purposes of refinancing a mortgage is based upon the facts (which are primarily based on other homes that have sold) and what the property description is.
Improvements that may help a refinance valuation:

• Additional bedroom or bathroom
• Addition to the lot size
• Addition to the garage
• Improvement that expands the “use” of the home

When it comes to improvements such as landscaping, painting, any home improvement more “cosmetic” in nature, realize that the primary benefit is for the enjoyment of the property, not for trying to influence value.
When Selling
A home buyer is going to take into consideration all of the facts associated with the property, location, lot size, square footage, bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as additional cosmetic improvements that have been done that add to the look and feel of the home.
Improvements that may help a sale price:

• New paint job
• Freshly maintained landscaping
• Remodeled and/or upgraded interior
• Deck and/or patio addition
• Additional bedroom or bathroom
• Addition to the lot size
• Addition to the garage

What’s the Biggest Bang for Your Buck?
These include the high-ticket items that increase square footage. An additional bedroom or an additional bathroom increases the square footage, which in turn allows an appraiser to make higher adjustments when determining valuation against other comparable homes around the subject property.
Refinancing
Let’s say you have funds ready for possibly improving your home for long-term enjoyment. Instead of using the funds to make home improvements in an attempt to enjoy your home more, you might actually see a greater benefit if you used that money toward a refinance. Over time, the money you save from refinancing could then be put toward those home improvements down the road.
Selling in the Near Future

Typically, you won’t get a dollar-for-dollar recapture on the home improvement cost, even when selling. Because the weight is given to improvements that expand the use of the house (i.e. bedroom, bathrooms, etc.), it’s more common to expect 20 cents on the dollar, or maybe 30 cents on the dollar, depending on the improvement in such a scenario. Because the market is the strongest indicator of price, the market will dictate sales price followed by additional improvements and subsequent marketing of the home.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/home-repairs-refinance-113050474.html

40 Energy Savings Tips for Denver - Northern Colorado Mike Nelson Real Estate

1. Close shades, drapes and blinds during the day (all directions).

 2. Wear lightweight clothing (short sleeves, shorts, cotton).

3. Set the air conditioning thermostat at 78 degrees or higher. Raise it higher to 80-85 degrees when away in the day. Note that settings below 78 degrees increase your cooling cost 8-12% per degree. Each degree makes a big difference. And setting your air conditioner at 70 degrees instead of 78 can almost double your operating cost!

 4. Don’t choose a lower air conditioning temperature when you first turn it on. It won’t cool faster if you set it lower. Set low, it cools longer, not faster.

5. When weather is mild, use fans instead of the air conditioner. Your central air conditioner will use about 100 times more energy than a fan at medium speed.

 6. If you have ceiling fans, run the fans and the air conditioner at the same time but set the air conditioner 2 or 3 degrees higher. You’ll feel just as cool, but your overall cooling cost will be 15%-25% lower!

7. Turn off ceiling fans when you’re away. Fans cool your skin. Fans don’t cool the room! Turn them off if you’re not going to be there to feel the breeze.

 8. Use a microwave instead of the range/oven. The microwave doesn’t heat the kitchen.

9. Keep windows and doors closed while air conditioning.

10. Change the air conditioner’s air filter monthly during heavy use. When it’s clogged, airflow is restricted -- cooling costs rise, and your system may eventually suffer a compressor failure with a $1,000+ repair bill!

11. Arrange items in your refrigerator for quick removal and return. Your refrigerator cools the food but heats the kitchen! The longer the door is open, the longer it runs, heating the kitchen and raising your air conditioning costs.

12. Vent the clothes dryer to the out-of-doors. Otherwise it pours heat and moisture into the house air.

13. If your dryer has an automatic cycle, use it. Over-drying wastes energy and wears out your clothes.

14. Clean the dryer lint filter screen frequently and check the outdoor vent opening. When lint slows the airflow, the dryer runs longer. When the vent is clogged the clothes get a long, ineffective tumbling.

15. Drink plenty of cool liquids. Avoid caffeine or alcohol. Eat lightly. Cook outdoors.

16. Plant shade trees. Outside shade can reduce air conditioning costs 30%. Shade on the east and west is most important.

17. Seal air leaks around doors and windows. Use caulk and weather-stripping.

18. If you have central cooling, keep all air conditioning supply registers open; don’t close off rooms or registers. That doesn’t save money, and it may lead to costly problems.

19. Check for air duct leaks. Duct leaks in the attic or under the house cost you money.

20. Close your fireplace damper!

21. Replace your old thermostat with a programmable thermostat.

22. On your central air conditioner’s thermostat FAN setting, always set the fan to AUTO, never set the fan to ON. This is important: Don’t move the fan lever to “ON”! Set the fan on “AUTO”. On AUTO, humidity is kept lower, costs are much lower and comfort is higher.

23. Keep up the habit of turning off lights as you leave a room, especially in summer. Lights add a lot of heat to the room.

24. Have a qualified service technician conduct a seasonal checkup on your central heat pump or air conditioner. Your springtime servicing should include a check of your thermostat including leveling it if necessary; a check of your system’s refrigerant charge; cleaning evaporator and condenser coils if necessary; and check for duct leaks and repair as necessary.

25. Consider a pool pump timer. Pool pumping 24 hours/day with a ¾ horsepower pump motor can cost nearly $80/month at current electric rates. A timer is well worth its installed cost.

26. Bulk up your ceiling insulation. The highest recommended level for our region is “R38” (38 Rvalues) or about 14 inches depth of the newer kinds of blown white fiberglass insulation. A good protective layer of ceiling insulation prevents heat from moving inward in summer and holds heat inside in winter.

27. Use your bathroom vent fan after a shower.

28. Reconsider having an old refrigerator or freezer in your hot garage!

29. Avoid rooftop power ventilating fans. They tend to cost more to operate than they save, especially if the thermostat is set too low.

30. Make sure your air conditioner’s return-air grill has plenty of clearance. Floor-level grills sometimes get covered by a rug or blocked by furniture.

31. Use a clothesline.

32. Make sure your clothes dryer isn’t throwing lint onto your outdoor cooling condenser coils!

33. If you have a waste-heat-recovery water heating system, make sure the little pump is still working! Otherwise you may go for years without realizing that the system does nothing.

34. If you’re replacing your old air conditioner, don’t pressure your installer to oversize your new system. Bigger isn’t better. A system correctly sized for your house will run longer but for less cost, dry the air better and give greater comfort than the next bigger size.

35. If you’re replacing your old air conditioner, replace both halves if it’s a “split system”. If you replace only the outdoor condensing unit but keep your old indoor blower-coil, you’ll likely end up with a mismatched, low-efficiency system.

36. Make sure your air conditioner’s thermostat is well away from any source or heat. Keep lamps at a distance to avoid false high temperature readings and unwanted long cooling runtimes.

37. If your garage was long ago converted to an enclosed, heated and cooled room, make sure it has ceiling insulation.

38. Make sure your ceiling fans are breezing downwards, not upwards. A common problem.

39. If your air conditioning ductwork is under the house and your supply air registers are at floor level, check all of them from above with a flashlight. First, it’s easy for the register vanes to be accidentally kicked shut. Second, make sure the duct boot under the vent is still connected. When you look down through a floor register, you shouldn’t see the earth!

40. Keep all air conditioning supply air registers open. Don’t close off rooms or registers. That doesn’t save money, and it may lead to costly problems.
http://www.servicedenver.com/Energy.html

23 Tips for Keeping the House Cool in the Summer - Northern Colorado

23 Tips for Keeping Your House Cool

Puzzling out how to keep your house as cool as possible during these hot summer months? Trying to remember the conventional wisdom but not quite sure how it goes? Those window fans, for example, should they be placed to draw air in or out? Upwind or downwind of the dwelling? And what about windows, shades, and awnings? Are windows on the North side of the house better left closed or open during the day? Are awnings better than shades?

Find out the answers to these questions and more, right here:

The recent heat spell on the East Coast dredged these questions up for me, and I am sure these questions are seasonal for many of us. Efficient cooling saves money, energy, and the quality of our lives.

Turning to Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings by Alex Wilson, Jennifer Thorne, and John Morrill of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has provided a wealth of answers to just these questions and more. I’ve compiled 23 tricks about how to keep a house cool to reduce the need for air conditioning from this book, as well as a few from The Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook. These tips are really useful.

1. Reduce the cooling load by employing cost-effective conservation measures. Provide effective shade for east and west windows. When possible, delay heat-generating activities such as dishwashing until evening on hot days.

2. Over most of the cooling season, keep the house closed tight during the day. Don’t let in unwanted heat and humidity. Ventilate at night either naturally or with fans.

3. You can help get rid of unwanted heat through ventilation if the temperature of the incoming air is 77 F or lower. (This strategy works most effectively at night and on cooler days.) Window fans for ventilation are a good option if used properly. They should be located on the downwind side of the house facing out. A window should be open in each room. Interior doors must remain open to allow air flow.

4. Use ceiling fans to increase comfort levels at higher thermostat settings. The standard human comfort range for light clothing in the summer is between 72 F and 78 F. To extend the comfort range to 82 F, you need a breeze of about 2.5 ft/sec or 1.7 mph. A sow-turning ceiling-mounted paddle fan can easily provide this air flow.

5. In hot climates, plant shade trees around the house. Don’t plant trees on the South if you want to benefit from passive solar heating in the winter.

6. If you have an older central air conditioner, consider replacing the outdoor compressor with a modern, high-efficiency unit. Make sure that it is properly matched to the indoor unit.

7. If buying a new air conditioner, be sure that it is properly sized. Get assistance from an energy auditor or air conditioning contractor.

8. Buy a high-efficiency air conditioner: for room air conditioners, the energy efficiency ratio (EER) rating should be above 10; for central air conditioners, look for a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating above 12.

9. In hot, humid climates, make sure that the air conditioner you buy will adequately get rid of high humidity. Models with variable or multi-speed blowers are generally best. Try to keep moisture sources out of the house.

10. Try not to use a dehumidifier at the same time your air conditioner is operating. The dehumidifier will increase the cooling load and force the air conditioner to work harder.

11. Seal all air conditioner ducts, and insulate ducts that run through unheated basements, crawl spaces, and attics.

12. Keep the thermostat set at 78 degrees F or higher if using ceiling fans. Don’t air-condition unused rooms.

13. Maintain your air conditioners properly to maximize efficiency.

Additional tips from the Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook, edited by Doug Pratt and the Real Goods staff.

Warm Weather Window Solutions

14. Install white window shades or mini-blinds. Mini-blinds can reduce solar heat gain by 40-50 percent.

15. Close south and west-facing curtains during the day for any window that gets direct sunlight. Keep these windows closed, too.

16. Install awnings on south-facing windows, where there’s insufficient roof overhang to provide shade.

17. Hang tightly woven screens or bamboo shades outside the window during the summer to stop 60 to 80 percent of the sun’s heat from getting to the windows.

18. Apply low-e films.

19. Consider exotic infills in your windows, a new technology that fills the space between panes with krypton or argon, gasses that have lower conductivity than air, and which boost R-values.

Tips for your A/C

19. Provide shade for your room A/C, or the outside half of your central A/C if at all possible. This will increase the unit’s efficiency by 5 percent to 10 percent.

20. Clean your A/C’s air filter every month during cooling season. Normal dust build-up can reduce air flow by 1 percent per week.

22. Turn off your A/C when you leave for more than an hour.

23. Several studies have found that most central air conditioning systems are oversized by 50 percent or more.

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/keep-house-cool-23-tips.html

Homes for sale in Fort Collins Colorado - Northern Colorado

Homes for sale in Fort Collins Colorado SEARCH below to find your next home or Contact Mike Nelson at 720-999-6818 to find out more about Fort Collins Real Estate

Homes for sale in Fort Collins Colorado

Fort Collins is a vibrant community of 145,000 set against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, 65 miles north of Denver, CO. 

As a regional center for employment, shopping, and healthcare, Fort Collins offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a larger city.  With an average of 300 days of sunshine per year and low humidity, Fort Collins residents enjoy pleasant weather year-round.  Fort Collins is an active community. From musical concerts and powerful plays to food and beer tasting extravaganzas, Fort Collins has it all.  Indoor and outdoor activities are enjoyable in every season.  

Money Magazine ranked Fort Collins as the "Best Place to Live" in America in 2006.  Please click here to see all Fort Collins recognitions

Demographics:

Fort Collins is the fourth largest city in the State of Colorado, with an estimated population of 145,000, including 26,000 students at Colorado State University.  Fort Collins' population is well-educated, with 44% of residents having a high school degree and 48% of them holding a bachelor's degree.  Household median income of $45,846.  Please click here for more demographics.

Climate and Proximity:

Fort Collins, with an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, low humidity, and moderate winters, enjoys a mild climate year-round.  The area receives approximately 16 inches of rain and 59 inches of snow per year.  The average high temperature during the summer months 83.5 degrees.  In the winter months, it is 44.0 degrees.

Fort Collins sits at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, approximately 65 miles north of Denver CO and 45 miles south of Cheyenne, WY.  Fort Collins' elevation is 5,003 ft. above sea level.

History:

Fort Collins began as an army camp along the banks of the Poudre River.  In 1867, the camp was dismantled, and the army moved out of the area.  Although the military was gone, a settlement remained.  In 1873, the city of Fort Collins was founded.  Over the years, Fort Collins has grown and changed, but you can still see reminders of the past in the Historic Old Town District and many other sites around the area.  Colorado State University's began in the 1870's, when the institution was founded as the Agricultural College of Colorado.  For more information on local history, see the Fort Collins Museum and Discovery Science Center's local historical archives.

On September 24, 2004, the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 100th anniversary, making it one of the oldest established organizations in Fort Collins.

 Education:

Fort Collins offers one of the best educational environments available in the United States.  Poudre School District students exceed the state average by 9 to 19 percentage points in the proficient and advanced categories for reading, writing, math, and science on the rigorous CSAP tests and scored above the state on the 11th grade ACT assessment.

Colorado State University gives students a tremendous range of educational opportunities from undergraduate to graduate and professional programs.  Colorado State University was founded in 1870 as the state's only land grant institution.  Today, over 100 undergraduate programs are offered in a curriculum that ranges from liberal arts to veterinary sciences.  CSU has over 26,000 students that come from all 50 states and nearly 80 countries.  In addition to being Fort Collins' largest employer, CSU positively impacts the cultural aspects of Fort Collins. World-renowned speakers, sporting events, and cultural celebrations all help to give Fort Collins a personality you will love.

Front Range Community College offers a college curriculum as well as programs in vocational and technical areas.  Thousands of students attend the college in pursuit of the 22 associate of art degrees, 17 high school programs, and 25 occupational degrees.  The Fort Collins campus is the second largest and most rapidly growing community college in the state.  

Lifestyle:

Colorado has earned a worldwide reputation as an area that offers an unparalleled lifestyle, and Fort Collins represents the very best of Colorado.  Exciting recreation and sports activities, festivals, cultural activities, high-quality healthcare and great senior accommodations make Fort Collins a choice place to live.

From activities for the extreme athlete to the leisurely weekend enthusiast, Fort Collins has it all.  In town, residents take advantage of 820 acres of developed park land, including 6 community parks and 44 neighborhood/pocket parks as well as 29 miles of trails offering scenic views of the Poudre River and the beautiful Rocky Mountains. 

Golfers of all abilities love Fort Collins' eight beautiful golf courses and everyone will enjoy swimming, figure skating or playing hockey at the popular EPIC (Edora Pool and Ice Center).  If you want to escape the city limits, your favorite ski resorts and cross-country trails are in your backyard and summertime offers opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, camping and more.  Trout fishing and whitewater rafting are popular activities on the nearby Cache la Poudre River. 

There is no better place than Fort Collins for spectator sports.  Colorado State University fans delight in watching the popular Rams football, basketball and volleyball teams.  A short drive to Denver puts you in the seats of a Denver Broncos, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rockies or Denver Nuggets game.  The annual Greeley Stampede in Greeley and the nationally-acclaimed Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming are popular summer day trips.

 Healthcare:

As a regional center for medicine, Fort Collins is home to thousands of general practitioners and specialists of every kind.  Poudre Valley Health System is Fort Collins' full-service medical center.  With 72 specialties, the hospital is able to provide the quality of care often found only in larger cities.  Nearly 2000 health care professionals give patients personalized care using the most up-to-date technologies and procedures.  

In 2008, Poudre Valley Health System received the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award.  The Malcolm Baldridge award continues to drive improvement at PVHS, which ultimately leads to better patient care.  PVHS was the only healthcare organization to receive this award.  For more information on Poudre Valley Health System, please click here.

Columbine Health Systems is a locally owned and operated healthcare network that has been providing services since 1971 that focus on addressing the comfort and safety of seniors. Services include skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities as well as independent and assisted living options. 

Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital provides comprehensive physical medicine and rehabilitation services to patients with functional deficits resulting from injury or illness.  The Northern Colorado Long Term Acute Hospital provides advanced long-term acute care, including high observation/critical care, for patients who require time to heal from catastrophic injury or illness.

Cultural Activities:

Cultural events and festivals abound in Fort Collins.  Local performing groups include Canyon Concert Ballet, the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra, the OpenStage Theatre Company,  and the Bas Bleu Theatre Company.  In 2011, The Lincoln Center will unveil its first expansion/renovation, providing residents with a first-class performing arts center. 

The Historic Old Town District is home to numerous events, including the annual New West Fest in August, Saint Paddy's Day parade and the Concert Under the Stars summer series.  For a community calendar, please click here.

Senior Living:

Seniors will find excellent amenities designed to suit their specific needs in Fort Collins.  Housing choices are numerous and a variety of programs offer employment, volunteer and educational opportunities.  The City of Fort Collins runs numerous activities through its Senior Center.  Programs include arts and crafts, fitness, computer training and outdoor recreation.  Day trips to popular destinations in Northern Colorado are also done through the Center.

Shopping:

A variety of choices make Fort Collins a great place to shop.

The Foothills Mall, offers residents a large variety of local stores and nationwide retailers, including Sears and Macy's, as well as a variety of smaller shops.

Historic Old Town, boasts local specialty stores and restaurants in an outdoor pedestrian mall.

Front Range Village, Fort Collins newest outdoor mall is located on the southern edge of Fort Collins and is home to SuperTarget, Lowe's, Babies & Toys R Us, and several smaller retailers.  Front Range Village also includes the Council Tree Library.

For a complete list of retailers, please visit our membership directory.

Dining:

With more restaurants per capita than most cities in the nation, Fort Collins offers a great selection of places to satisfy your appetite.  From spicy Mexican to delicious Italian and exotic Vietnamese, you can try a different cuisine every day.  And don't forget to try a great hamburger and beer from one of the local microbreweries.  Fort Collins is home to Odell Brewing Company, Fort Collins Brewery and New Belgium Brewing Company as well as many others. Fort Collins' local restaurants, combined with nationwide chains, provide endless choices of different styles of food to satisfy everyone's cravings.

To view a complete listing of restaurants, please visit our membership directory or visit www.ftcollins.com.

Quality of Life:

Click here for a living report on the quality of life in Larimer County.  The Compass site pulls together data from various sources that indicate our community's social, economic, and environmental health.

Getting Up To Date Alerts On New Homes For Sale In Northern Colorado

Want up to date alerts for new homes? By entering just your name and email you can gain access to thousands of local house listings in the Northern Colorado district.

Homes for Sale Berthoud Northern Colorado

Berthoud Homes For Sale CLICK below to find your next house 720-999-6818 http://homesforsalenortherncolorado.com

Berthoud Homes For Sale

Price, housing quality, neighborhood conditions, the community, and the town’s location figure into each housing decision. Berthoud homes range in price from the low $100′s to high $300′s. Acreage properties range in value from the mid $200′s to mid $500′s. Whether you have a growing family and need to move up to a larger home, or are scaling down to a smaller one, your home can be found in Berthoud.

Berthoud neighborhoods are intact residential areas with stately trees and inviting parks scattered throughout. Roberts Lake and Park anchor the northern neighborhoods of Berthoud, while Berthoud and Bien Parks are the focus of the southern area of town. Berthoud has developed a new comprehensive plan and has an active staff addressing all local issues. A home in Berthoud furnishes easy access to employment centers from Denver north along the Front Range, yet is also an oasis where your family will experience the quality of life that only a small town can provide.

Brighton Homes For Sale - Northern Colorado

Brighton Homes for sale SEARCH below to find your next home in Brighton Colorado or contact Mike Nelson at 720-999-6818 for more information on Brighton Real Estate

Homes For Sale In Brighton

Brighton is a booming community with a variety of opportunities for residents and visitors! Need help putting together the perfect day in Brighton please contact the Brighton Chamber of Commerce at 303-659-0223!

• Explore Downtown Brighton: There are many boutiques, restaurants and more!
• Check out Main Street Creatives Gallery
• Adams County Fairgrounds
• AMC Theatres at the Pavillion
• Anythink Brighton: The library offers individualized as well as affordable family entertainment. There is   story time, music and development for babies and toddlers as well as after school care, teen and adult computer classes and career development resources. There is also a designated family movie night.
• Armory: The Armory has been designation as a local historic landmark by the Brighton Historic Preservation Commission set in motion the Armory’s transformation into a vibrant cultural center. Today, the facility hosts local and regional events and performances. A wide range of theater, dance, music and visual arts programming are offered to children, adults and families. Programming at the Armory dovetails with cultural programs at the Brighton Branch Library next door.
• Barr Lake State Park: Two miles from Prairie Center, is a popular Colorado destination for fishing, hunting, bird watching, hiking and boating. Trails wind around the lake more than eight miles. Parts of the lake are open to canoeing, and sailboarding. The southern half of the lake is also a refuge for wildlife.
• Brighton Oasis Family Aquatic Park: Open Memorial Day through Labor Day.
• Brighton Recreation Center:  Indoor swimming year round. Youth and Adult Programs. Long term fitness.
• Fitness: Snap Fitness, Kinetafit Boot Camp
• Massage: Inner Bliss Body Works, Balanced Healing Massage
• Many Parks, Biking and running  trails

Homes For Sale Broomfield Colorado - Northern Colorado

Brighton Homes for sale SEARCH below to find your next home in Brighton Colorado or contact Mike Nelson at 720-999-6818 for more information on Brighton Real Estate

Homes For Sale In Broomfield

Located about halfway between Denver and Boulder along U.S. 36, the Broomfield area is central to all that Colorado living is known for throughout the world. Local shopping, entertainment and night-life options combined with convenient access to Colorado's beautiful scenery and year-round outdoor recreation make Broomfield a uniquely vibrant place to live, work and play.

Downtown Denver is just 15 minutes away, and offers Broomfield residents a wide range of world-class entertainment, professional sports and cultural activities. Also just 15 minutes away, Boulder is the quintessential college town, home of the University of Colorado. Boulder offers eclectic entertainment and culture, and a host of outdoor recreation possibilities in a youthful and natural setting.

An influential force in the Colorado economy, the Broomfield area is a burgeoning center of the high-tech, retail and manufacturing industries. Yet, Broomfield City and County Government makes sure the area retains it's century-old feeling of rural charm. Careful planning and development allow for plenty of open space. Broomfield's neighboring cities and towns are committed to the same developmental principles, ensuring that residents enjoy the benefits of economic opportunity without sacrificing the promise of Colorado's nature-oriented lifestyle.

Homes for Sale Erie, Colorado - Northern Colorado

Homes for sale in Erie Colorado SEACRH below to find your next home or contact Mike Nelson at       720-999-6818 for more information on Erie Real Estate

Homes For Sale In Erie Colorado

The Town of Erie is located in Boulder and Weld Counties, just west of I-25 for easy access to I-70, Denver International Airport (DIA) and Colorado’s entire Front Range. Residents enjoy moderate, dry climate with more than 340 days of sunshine a year. Erie is perfectly positioned and less than an hour's drive to cultural events, ski areas and Rocky Mountain National Park.

For those who are unfamiliar with Erie or interested in moving to Erie, check out the Town of Erie website for more information. For the year 2012, the Town is offering incentives to both homebuyers and commercial brokers.

Erie Quick Facts

Population – 2012       20,000

Median Age    32.5

Households     6,740

Median Household Income    $99,804

Avg Single Family Home Price          $314,000

Avg Commute Time   25 minutes

Acres of Parks & Open Space            346

College Graduates in Population        54%

Population Estimate - 2015     25,650

Homes For Sale In Mead Colorado - Northern Colorado

Mead Homes for sale SEARCH below to find your next house in Mead or contact Mike Nelson at 720-999-6818 to learn more about the Mead community Real Estate

Homes for sale in Mead Colorado
MEAD - THE PLACE TO BE!

Uniquely located halfway between the Denver Metro Area

and Fort Collins along the I-25 corridor.

Mead is a prime location for your business.

In fact, within 30 miles of I-25 and Welker Street you will find:

The Town of Mead is interested in working with new and existing businesses to help build and retain our quality of life, jobs and vitality.

• A population base of over 1.4 million
• Denver International Airport
• Three world-class university campuses
• Seven community college campuses
• Rocky Mountain National Park
• Numerous major railroad lines

The Town of Mead has joined a select group of Colorado companies to be recognized as a Colorado Companies to Watch Community Partner. This selection acknowledges the hard work, dedication and contribution of the Town of Mead as a valuable contributor to business development in the state. Colorado Companies to Watch honors second stage companies that develop valuable products and services, create quality jobs, enrich communities and create new industries throughout Colorado.

Mead Mayor Richard Macomber stated, “We are honored to be associated with Colorado Companies to Watch, as so much of our current and growing business sector revolves around second stage companies.”

“We are pleased to recognize the Town of Mead for their outstanding support for businesses that are fueling the economic fire of our wonderful state. Thank you to the Town of Mead,” says Sam Bailey, Colorado Companies to Watch program director.

Colorado Companies to Watch is different from other awards programs. Because the program focuses on our entire state, and not specific industries, it provides an opportunity to paint a realistic picture of a true statewide economy. Since applicants are evaluated on more than growth, it widens the playing field to companies not often recognized for the critical differences they make in their industry, their community, region and our state.

Homes for sale in Northglenn Colorado - Northern Colorado

Homes for sale in Northglenn Colorado SEARCH below to find your next house or Contact Mike Nelson at 720-999-6818 to find out more about Northglenn's Real Estate

Homes for sale in Northglenn Colorado

The nearly 36,000 residents of Northglenn enjoy small neighborhoods with accessible schools, convenient shopping centers, parks, lakes, open spaces and outdoor recreation facilities.

The city government’s support for community and economic development makes Northglenn a hub of safe neighborhoods and business activity.

The quality of planning, development, services and volunteers creates a distinctive sense of community that is uncommon in many modern cities. Many of the original residents who lived in Northglenn when it incorporated in 1969 still live here.

The community is connected by the well-planned Greenway Trail System. The 28 miles of off-street walking and biking paths connect with larger trail systems that lead throughout the Denver metro area.

Northglenn is only 15 minutes north of downtown Denver and all of the events and attractions of a major metropolitan city.

Go east on Interstate 70 and Denver International Airport is only 25 minutes away.

Turn to the west, and the majestic Rocky Mountains tower over the landscape and are a mere half hour away by car.

Bask in 300 days of sunshine, as Northglenn enjoys full seasons of summer, spring, winter and fall. But thanks to our dry climate, the hot and cold aren’t as harsh as in more humid climates.

Northglenn Fast Facts

Elevation: 5460 feet

Climate: Northglenn enjoys a mild, sunny, and semi-arid climate.

Average July High Temp: 87.9

Average Jan. Low Temp: 16.2

Sales Tax Rates

Northglenn: 4.00%

Adams County: .75%

Colorado: 4.10%

Total:   8.85%

Northglenn Property Tax: 11.597 mills

Median Household Income:

Northglenn: $53,747

Region: $58,039

State: $55,212

Number of Households: ~14,000

Avg. Household Size: ~2.6

Median Age:

Northglenn: 33.5

Region: 35.6

State: 35.7

Public Schools: Adams 12 Five Star Schools

Homes for sale in Niwot Colorado - Northern Colorado

Homes for sale in Niwot Colorado SEARCH below to find your next home or contact Mike Nelson at 

720-999-6818 to find out more about Niwots Real Estate

Homes for sale in Niwot Colorado

About Boulder/Niwot

A Lifestyle Like No Other

Boulder Colorado was founded in 1859 by explorers seeking the riches of gold. Boulder enjoys a colorful and interesting history.  Boulderites embrace a Green Lifestyle, and Boulder has a history in promoting a Healthy Community Lifestyle. Celestial Seasonings, White Wave (soy food manufacturer), Wild Oats (now owned by Whole Foods) and Horizon's Organic Yogurt all started in Boulder.

Visitors can enjoy the benefits of a community created by residents that embrace a healthy, culturally-enriched lifestyle. Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast, seeking intellectual stimulation or want a relaxing getaway, Boulder offers a variety of experiences for every type of travel. Catch a glimpse of some of Boulder's furry and feathery residents while strolling,  hiking or biking through our 300 miles of trails and 45,000 acres of open space, people watch at an outdoor café or restaurant on the Pearl Street Mall, or experience the beauty and tranquility of a one-of-a-kind Persian Teahouse.

Boulder is centrally located in the foothills of Colorado's Rocky Mountains, just 35 minutes northwest of Denver. The City of Boulder sits 5,430 feet above sea level. Boulder enjoys 300 plus days for sunshine a year and moderate weather. Last we checked, there were 102,500 residents in Boulder, including about 25,000 students who are enrolled at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Homes for sale in Louisville Colorado - Northern Colorado

Homes for sale in Louisville Colorado SEACRH below to find your next home or Contact Mike Nelson at 720-999-6818 for more information on Louisville's Real Estate

Homes for sale in Louisville Colorado

The City of Louisville has often been recognized for its livability. Most recently, Money Magazine named Louisville #1 in 2009, and then in an unprecedented action again named Louisville #1 in its 2011 “Best Place to Live” issue. Many things contribute to this exemplary quality of life and positive economic condition including 1,700 acres of open space, dozens of great eateries, a thriving arts scene, great schools, wonderful neighborhoods and a diverse mix of employment opportunities. As the Money article noted, “Add in dry, clear weather, little crime, good health care, low taxes, and Louisville is pretty tough to beat.”

City of Louisville, Colorado, incorporated in 1882, lies in Boulder County roughly six miles east of the City of Boulder and 25 miles northwest of Denver. The City Council consists of six Council members and the Mayor. (City Map) At this time, the City owns, either alone or in conjunction with other governmental entities, approximately 1700 acres of designated open space.

Founded:1878

Incorporated:1882

Average Elevation: 5,338 feet

Area of City:

5080 Acres/8 square miles

Population:

18,376

Median Age:

40.9

Climate:

Mean Temperatures:

January - 29.5 degrees F

July - 72.0 degrees F

October - 52.6 degrees F

Days of Sunshine:  275/year

Inches of Rain:  15.5/year

Growing Season:  148 Days

Homes for sale in Firestone Colorado - Northern Colorado

Homes for sale in Firestone Colorado SEARCH below to find your next home or Contact Mike Nelson at 720-999-6818 to learn more about Firestone Real Estate

Homes for sale in Firestone Colorado

Firestone is a rapidly growing community with a comprehensive plan to provide diverse retail, housing and employment opportunities. Responsible governmental leadership, a unique location and a high quality of life make Firestone equipped for new business development in all commercial and retail sectors.

Firestone is located just 20 minutes north of Denver along the 1-25 corridor, minutes north of the Northwest Parkway and E-470 with direct access to Denver International Airport.

Firestone's boundary is approximately 7,412 acres or 11.6 square miles with a planning area of approximately 26 square miles.

Firestone has 18 parks and 5 miles of trails connecting to the regional St. Vrain Legacy Trail and the Colorado Front Range Trail system.

Firestone continues to experience significant residential growth over the past decade. Firestone has averaged an annual 43 percent population increase throughout the past 10 years.

Current development is shown below:

Residential, Commercial, Employment and Mixed Use Development

Over 57 major residential, commercial, employment and mixed-use developments

1,050 Jobs (estimated)

Trade Area Development

Residential, retail, office and industrial planning and development continues throughout the southwestern Weld County area and the eastern Boulder County area. Southwest Weld County is one of the fastest-growing regions in Northern Colorado and Firestone is a major factor in that growth. Weld County Colorado has experienced an average annual 40% increase in housing units over the past 10 years according to 2010 U.S. Census Bureau.

Firestone Population

10,147 (2010 Census)

432% growth rate over the past 10 years (2010 Census)

Households

3,478 (actual March 2011)

Vision Statement

The Town of Firestone is a unique community of citizens, businesses, and governments that are united in creating a stable, safe, prosperous, and healthful environment in which to live, work, worship, learn, recreate and exercise the rights and freedoms provided by the United States Constitution.