Boulder Dining Guide: The “Can’t Miss” Restaurants

April 23, 2014 by

Boulder Dining Guide: The “Can’t Miss” Restaurants

Boulder Colorado Dining Guide

How do you condense the best restaurants in Boulder into one concise dining guide? Well it isn’t easy and we know we’ve missed a few.

Why? Because Boulder has some of the most diverse and well established restaurants in Colorado. From pizza to Mexican fare (along with great rooftop dining)

So whether you are new in town, just visiting, or even a local who is looking for a great bite to eat and don’t know where to go, I’ve compiled a list of some of the top restaurants in Boulder based on regional style and price. Bon appétit — here’s your Boulder Dining Guide (and so let us know if we happened to have missed one of your favorites).

American Food

The Kitchen Group ($$-$$$): Is definitely one of the more unique groups of restaurants in the Boulder dining scene. They have three locations in downtown Boulder and they all have their own twist of culture and fare. The Kitchen is the more upscale restaurant of the three with amazing traditional American food. The Kitchen Next Door (which is right next door to The Kitchen) has a more laid-back atmosphere with great comfort food and drink prices. The Kitchen Upstairs (you guessed it — just up the stairs from The Kitchen and The Kitchen Next Door) is designed for more of the premium drinks and finger-food crowd. Either way you go, you’re in for some really great food right on downtown Pearl Street.

Riffs Urban Fare ($$): One of my personal favorites. This newer style American restaurant is located on the Pearl Street Mall in the heart of downtown Boulder. They do a lot of great twists to some more traditional American dishes at very reasonable prices.

Flagstaff House ($$$$): With its long history, extensive wine list, and almost perfect rating on Yelp, Flagstaff House has definitely earned its reputation as one of the best and most upscale American restaurants in the Boulder dining landscape.

OAK At Fourteenth ($$$): I don’t know what it is about Pearl Street that attracts top-notch American style restaurants. Whatever it is, OAK at fourteenth is up there with the rest of them. With their relaxed professional atmosphere, in-house bottled sodas, and new-style American fare, OAK at fourteenth is a great neighborhood restaurant and perfect for a night out.

The Buff Restaurant ($$): If you’re looking for one of the best brunch restaurants in Boulder, then look no further. This place gets packed quick, so make sure you stop by early to grab a table (and they recently moved so make sure your visit theirnew location).

If you’re a big fan of the brunch, make sure to check out our list of other greatbrunch restaurants in Boulder.

Asian Food

There are so many different types and styles of food from our friends on the other side of the Pacific that our very own Kelly Tidd put together a list of the best Asian restaurants in Boulder, listed by type and country of origin.

Boulder also has some amazing Pho restaurants around town. Make sure to check out our list of the best Pho restaurants in Boulder if you’re looking to dive in to some great soup.

Indian Food

Even though India is technically in Asia, it is so unique in taste (and smell) that I felt like it needed its own category. See below for some great local Indian restaurants right here in the Boulder dining mecca.

Curry N Kebob ($): Don’t be fooled by the price tags at this place, this authentic Indian/Halal restaurant is as good as it gets. Make sure to check out the daily featured combo.

Tandoori Grill ($$): As a lunch buffet by day, and a more upscale, sit down restaurant at night, Tandoori Grill is quickly becoming one of the best go-to Indian restaurants in Boulder.

Gurkhas on the Hill ($): Though technically an Indian restaurant, Gurkhas also serves some of the best authentic Nepalese and Tibetan cuisine around.

Italian Food:

Frasca Food and Wine ($$$$): With their exquisitely prepared Italian fare and a comprehensive wine list with over 200 varieties, Frasca has not only put their Friuli-Venezia Giulia style cuisine (Northern Italy) on the map here in Boulder, they are renowned all over the country.

Il Pastaio ($$): This place might seem like a hidden gem if it’s your first time passing by, but this place is one of the most popular and authentic Italian restaurants in town. The owner is old-school Italian and makes the pasta and sauces fresh daily. The place itself is pretty small so make sure to call ahead before the tables run out.

Arugula Bar E Ristorante ($$): Nestled in a nice quiet shopping center in North Boulder, Arugula has everything you’d expect from an authentic Italian restaurant. Their chef was born and raised in New York City so you will see a lot of traditional Italian dishes and recipes. They are in Boulder however, so their menu has plenty of new takes and gluten-free options as well.

Pizzeria Locale ($$): Located right next door to Frasca Food and Wine (same owners) on Pearl Street in downtown Boulder, this place is an excellent contemporary Italian restaurant and pizzeria inspired by the traditional cuisine of Naples, Italy.

Boulder Pizza: If you’re looking for the best slice of Pizza in town, make sure to check out our local Boulder Pizza Guide to find the best spots near you.

Mexican Food

Zolo Southwestern Grill ($$): Zolo is not your typical Mexican restaurant (more like New Mexican). They make everything from scratch and are very accommodating with their entrées. So if you’re allergic to typical ingredients found in Mexican food (such as onions in guacamole) or are a picky eater, stop by Zolo for a quick bite, drinks, or a full meal.

Efrain’s Mexican Restaurant ($): An authentic Mexican restaurant that won’t break the bank – needless to say, this is not a fancy place for a first date. It is a bit of the drive to the outskirts of Boulder, but many locals give it a thumbs up. Fans recommend the The Efrain Burrito.

Centro Latin Kitchen & Refreshment Palace ($$): This Latin gem is located right in the heart of downtown Boulder. They serve out some great Mezcal and tequila margaritas and offer attractive happy hour prices.

Agave Mexico Bistro & Tequila House ($$): With plenty of gluten-free vegetarian options and delectable coin margaritas, this place epitomizes what a Mexican restaurant should be. They also have a great upstairs space, pool table, and tequila bar.

If you really want to feel like you’re South of the border, make sure to check out our list of the best authentic Mexican food restaurants in Boulder.

 

Search Boulder homes for sale

John Marcotte
Marcotte Real Estate Group
720-771-9401

john@boulderhomes4u.com

Search for homes on my website @ www.boulderhomes4u.com

When thinking of Real Estate, think of John Marcotte
I’m never too busy for your referrals.

 

new bh4u logo

Filed Under: Real Estate Topics, Things to Do Tagged With: , , , ,

Boulder Fast Casual: Convenient Food That’s Anything but Junk

April 21, 2014 by

Boulder Fast Casual: Convenient Food That’s Anything but Junk

Fast Casual Food in BoulderIt’s Boulder — where do you eat (and fast) when you’re in a rush? You want to skip the fake food-in-a-box places but you’re willing to get out of the car and sit if it means healthy, delicious, AND fast. Well, it’s time for a Boulder fast casual joint.

With Hapa Sushi announcing that they have plans to open up a fast-casual sushi joint called Motomaki at the Twenty Ninth Street Mall this summer, Boulder adds another gourmet restaurant to its fast-casual repertoire.

For so long, people associated fast-casual food with convenient, but not quite healthy food options. Places like Chipotle, Noodles, and Buffalo Wild Wings sprout up all over the country and, well, we love them because they give us pretty good food for a decent price and we don’t have to wait for it. And waiting for food is the worst thing ever.

However, there’s a delightful new trend in Boulder that makes fast-casual a less gluttonous experience. Food that doesn’t dent your wallet, but also doesn’t cause your cholesterol count to sky rocket. Here are some healthy fast-casual food options you can find in Boulder.

Modmarket

This relatively new chain claims several locations around Colorado including one in Boulder. Customers can enjoy farm fresh food and unique menu items, plus they offer food to fit just about any restrictive diet, be it vegan, dairy-free or paleo. In addition, the décor at Modmarket certainly beats eating at one of the tables in Whole Foods.

Native Foods

Delicious vegan fast-casual. You can include that on a list of things that I never thought I’d write in my lifetime. Native Foods has places all over the West Coast and Chicago and their menu has earned them the praise of vegans around town. Their location at the Twenty Ninth Street Mall, along with Modmarket, makes this location a sort of fast-casual mecca for vegans looking for a quick fix.

Curry-N-Kebob

Let’s give this list a little bit of international flavor because there are a wide variety of fast-casual places that offer up sweet and savory ethnic food. Among them isCurry-N-Kebob, which offers Indian food at reasonable prices (and it’s pretty damn good too).

Cuba Cuba Sandwicheria

As their website says, “Eat Cuban!” I couldn’t agree more. Cubans know how to do a sandwich right! Now, this probably doesn’t fit into the “healthy, light” food category (roasted pork, ham and Swiss cheese on the Cuban sandwich alone), but screw it; it’s not everywhere in Colorado that you can find good Cuban food on the fly.

Zoe Ma Ma

You can’t have a fast-casual food list without some Chinese food in the mix andZoe Ma Ma is the perfect Boulder fit. Get your comfort foods such as dumplings (they’re vegan) or hot and sour soup, but with a Boulder twist: everything is made with high quality ingredients like cage-free eggs and all-natural meat. Plus, the organic noodles are made in-house.

Boulder has got some pretty unconventional options when it comes to fast-casual dining, so take that, Qdoba! What are some of your favorite places in Boulder where you can get a quick meal for a great price?

 

 

Search Boulder homes for sale

John Marcotte
Marcotte Real Estate Group
720-771-9401

john@boulderhomes4u.com

Search for homes on my website @ www.boulderhomes4u.com

When thinking of Real Estate, think of John Marcotte
I’m never too busy for your referrals.

 

new bh4u logo

Filed Under: Real Estate Topics, Things to Do Tagged With: , , , , ,

Spend a Day in Old Town Louisville: Boulder County’s Hidden Gem

April 20, 2014 by

Spend a Day in Old Town Louisville: Boulder County’s Hidden Gem

The Empire RestaurantJust a ten minute drive from Boulder proper, is a little town that’s been rated America’s Best Place to Live by CNN Money for two of the last three years; last year they placed second. In fact, they aren’t the only major site to be singing this historic mining town’s praises. Louisville has received an abundance of accolades in the past five years. If you think you know Louisville as a sleepy little suburb of Boulder, think again.

Old Town Louisville, or Historic Louisville, on Main Street has a bustling retail and restaurant scene and if you haven’t been yet, I encourage you to hop in your car or take the Dash and spend a day in Downtown Louisville. You’ll barely have to walk more than six blocks the entire day, but you won’t be at a shortage for sights worth seeing.

All of the restaurants and retail spaces I’m about to mention are located on a two block rectangle, from Main and Pine to Main and Walnut, and back around to Front and Walnut to Front and Walnut.

Breakfast/Brunch

For some delicious morning sustenance and a healthy dose of caffeine, head toBittersweet; their pastries and coffee will bring you into the land of the living. For a slightly more formal (but not too formal) breakfast or brunch, grab a table at The Huckleberry. If you’d like a little booze with your brunch, head over to the Waterloo, which is a restaurant and hopping bar by night, but offers some tasty mimosas and bloody marys on the weekends.

Brew

Right on Main Street, there’s a little brewery tucked in between a few restaurants.12 Degrees Brewing, which specializes in Belgian-inspired ales. They also have some fantastic guest taps for other Belgians, Saisons and Sours from around the country.

Louisville Rex

Lunch

For lunch, there are several tummy-pleasing options (many of which also serve dinner, so you can go at any point during the day), including the Louisville Rex, with its iconic marquis sign or LuLu’s andLa Rev with a gloriously large shared patio for spring and summer sunning. If you’re feeling more like some Chinese or Vietnamese, Double Happy ought to do the trick. For a sweet treat, stop intoSweet Cow ice cream and lounge on their astro turf patio.

Shop

If you’ve got money burning a hole in your pocket, there are a couple of places to spend it in Old Town Louisville. The Book Cellar, The Singing Cook and Wildwood Guitars (which Premiere Guitar ranked as one of the 20 best guitar stores in the U.S.) all offer specialty goods that will have you browsing for hours. If you’re looking for some ladies’ fashion, look no further than Switch or Eleanor on opposite ends of the predefined boundary.

If you’re in the market for some quirky home décor finds, check out Little Horse, a cute little nook that sells used books, vinyl, and décor.  For more traditional style, check out The Fuzzy Antler. If you’re looking for small gifts or cards, check outAssorted Goods & Candy or Old Friends, which are located right next to each other on Front Street.

Feeling tense? Visit the Seagrape Day Spa on Main Street for a massage or mani/pedi. If you’d rather spend some quiet time alone with books, the Louisville Public Library is a wonderful place to spend a few hours in peace.

Dinner

You’ve probably worked up an appetite after all that shopping, but not to worry, there are plenty of options literally right around the corner. Fond of fondue? Have dinner at The Melting Pot. For Italian cuisine, get a table at Zucca. If you’re in the mood for some mouth-watering American fare, try The Empire (you can’t miss the sign) or Lucky Pie.

Drinks

If the night is still young and you’re not ready to call it a night, La Rev, Waterloo, the Rex and Lucky Pie are all open until 10 and offer a vast selection of beer, wine and cocktails. If it’s after 10, there’s one destination on this strip: Henry’s. The quintessential dive bar, Henry’s keeps the lights up and the drinks strong. Head over to play a game of pool or darts.

As I stated before, this is all within two square blocks of Downtown Louisville. There are far more highly rated restaurants, bars, and stores outside of this area, but still all within walking distance.

Louisville is definitely a family town (as evidenced by most places shutting down at 10 pm), but the young families that have moved there over the past five years or so have injected a fun, playful vibe around town that caters to parents of young children who aren’t quite ready to settle down yet, making it an appealing place for folks without children as well.

 

Search Louisville homes for sale

John Marcotte
Marcotte Real Estate Group
720-771-9401

john@boulderhomes4u.com

Search for homes on my website @ www.boulderhomes4u.com

When thinking of Real Estate, think of John Marcotte
I’m never too busy for your referrals.

 

new bh4u logo

Filed Under: Real Estate Topics Tagged With: , , , , ,

Boulder BBQ: Finger Lickin’ Good

April 19, 2014 by

Boulder BBQ: Finger Lickin’ Good

BBQ in BoulderY’all love it when we talk food here, so we decided to revisit the Boulder BBQ scene — prime spring and summer fare. Summer means more outdoor activities in Boulder. More hiking, climbing, camping, and get togethers in backyards.

One of the quintessential foods of summer (for me, at least) is barbecue. However, I typically don’t have the patience to slow cook pork all day nor do I have a smoker to make the perfect brisket. Hence, I must rely on others to supply me with mouth-watering barbecue goodness. Here’s a gander at some of the Boulder BBQ joints I’ve taken a fancy to — and maybe they’re among your favorites as well.

Moe’s BBQ: Voted one of the top ten barbecue joints in the country, Moe’s BBQhas fronts in a few cities around Colorado, including the Boulder BBQ favorite on 30th Street. I’ll admit that, while I knew about the two places in Denver, I didn’t realize that this place was somewhat of a chain restaurant with places all over the country. I guess that means they’re doing something right. Plus, for those of you abstaining from animal flesh, they have a couple veggie options with tofu or tempeh.

KT’s BBQ: As long as I’ve lived in Boulder, there’s been a KT’s on Arapahoe Road — a mainstay in the Boulder BBQ scene — and now they’ve expanded with a location on 13th Street as well. KT’s BBQ specializes in Memphis-style barbecue, which isn’t quite as sweet as say, Kansas City style ‘cue (my favorite), but it’s still tasty. If you go, make sure to keep space in your stomach for their key lime pie. It’s a religious experience.

The Rib House: With an entire house dedicated to ribs, this place could either be the site of a horror movie or a place that serves up some mean barbecued ribs. Fortunately for us, it’s the latter and The Rib House goes so far as to serve up Tracy’s Illegal Babyback Ribs. While I’m not sure if you’ll get arrested for eating them, they do also feature prehistoric foul on their menu: Pterodactyl Wings!

Wayne’s Smoke Shack: For fans of true Texas BBQ, take a little jaunt just outside of Boulder to Wayne’s Smoke Shack in Superior and get a mouthful of downhome flavor. While it may be on the outskirts of Boulder, it’s still part of the Boulder BBQ culture and has quickly become a favorite for Southern-style BBQ devotees in the area. Please take note that this is a lunch only restaurant and they only stay open for as long as they have meat. Once they sell out of BBQ, they close their doors for the day.

 

 

 

Search Boulder Homes for sale

John Marcotte
Marcotte Real Estate Group
720-771-9401

john@boulderhomes4u.com

Search for homes on my website @ www.boulderhomes4u.com

When thinking of Real Estate, think of John Marcotte
I’m never too busy for your referrals.

 

new bh4u logo

Filed Under: Real Estate Topics, Things to Do Tagged With: , , ,

There’s Something About Spring in Boulder

April 18, 2014 by
There’s Something About Spring in Boulder

boulder flatirons your boulder

I have to tell you — there really is something about spring in Boulder.

It’s better than summer and fall. After this winter, it’s for damn sure better than winter. And I dig it.

I love how I can head out and stroll along Pearl Street and feel a gentle breeze sweep in. I love the way birds seem to serenade me as I’m on a bike ride along the north section of Broadway. I love how the mud is beginning to turn into something you can ride a moutain bike on and how I’ll have to bid my cross bike adieu until the next season.

I love the way the sky sweeps across the background of every view I take in, as if it’s saying, “No really — look all you want. There’s more where that came from.” I love the view from atop Mt. Sanitas, no matter the weather.

your boulder four mile

 

 

 

 

Search Boulder Homes for sale

John Marcotte
Marcotte Real Estate Group
720-771-9401

john@boulderhomes4u.com

Search for homes on my website @ www.boulderhomes4u.com

When thinking of Real Estate, think of John Marcotte
I’m never too busy for your referrals.

 

new bh4u logo

Filed Under: Real Estate Topics, Things to Do Tagged With: , , , , ,

HOW TO MAKE YOUR KITCHEN ORGANISED AND TRENDY

February 28, 2014 by

HOW TO MAKE YOUR KITCHEN ORGANISED AND TRENDY

Written by 

 

From cooking to baking or sharing special time with family members for some light nibbles, the kitchen has been the heart for activities among family members or pals. Additionally, a kitchen could be a symbol of standing; the amount of money spent in planning and building could be directly related to family earnings. Naturally, selecting the best white goods has been a subject of great interest. 1 or 2 factors affect kitchen design.

The “final” touch in decorating a kitchen is various accessories of both a decorative and  functional nature. They can transform your kitchen from a showpiece into a beautiful living space.

One such decoration, which will always prove as a useful detail, is the kitchen wall clock. Clock whether larger, round or square, with a narrower or broader framework, classical needles or digital, is the most reliable friend in the timing of food preparation, and can still be very interesting décor, which is harmonised with the style. Clocks with weights and rustic ornaments (such as floral or like small rural house) will look good in rustic kitchens, while in modern spaces choose a clock with simple lines, with or without a metal frame. Particularly attractive will be variations in some of the bright colours and colourful clocks with interesting geometric motifs.

Until now, often neglected, special attention is paid to various containers in kitchens. In classic and rustic spaces they are plain or painted porcelain, while the minimalism is reserved for simpler glass or metal containers.

Good decor, but also an excellent extra space to store things, are well organised baskets made from natural materials, whether they are installed independently or as part of a stand-alone cabinet.

Ceramic bowls for fruits and vegetables, whether in the simplest form of straight lines to the kitschy decorated variants, show the unmistakable detail in creating a warm kitchen look, as well as sugar and salt containers. Today, there are more and more trendy and lightweight aluminium containers for oatmeal and glass containers for different types of pasta. Wall hangers for various kitchen appliances (draining spoon, ladle, large forks for baking, spatula, skimmer etc.) should also be stylistically consistent with the rest of the kitchen.

Another well-liked and trendy approach is by integrating a few appliances into a total unit concealed with cupboard doors and drawers. This not only gives a wow-factor to visitors who would discover technology behind these doors but also maximise the utilisation of kitchen space.

This type of kitchen design supplements the heat that is omitted by this straight forward design using genuine or synthetic wood panels that hide appliances. Putting other centerpiece like a desk with simple marble finish provides a stylish appeal and simultaneously an alternate location to have an excellent breakfast every day with members of the family.

Finally, do not forget to bring a breath of freshness and naturalness, for which you can use vases for flowers and a variety of indoor potted plants. An excellent fit in every kitchen will be small decorative bowls with herbs, which can be put together in one large basket – this solution is particularly attractive in rustic kitchens, in which an important decor are certain types of canned foods, such as jars of jam or pickles decorated with colourful plaid fabric on the lids.

It is extremely important to put curtains in the dining room. For an ethereal, calming appearance we curtains made from a solid colour, thin, translucent fabric is suggested, while where the emphasis is on luxury, especially in rooms decorated in classic styles, often find curtains made from romantic lace and even velvet drapes with a decorative gold weave. In modern dining rooms wrinkled or flat roll-on screens and roller blinds, either monochrome or with some larger or smaller prints can be found.

 

Tablecloths and decorative pillows on the chairs also make for different decor, which are also important to harmonise with the basic colours and style of decoration. Stylistic coherence is also important when choosing jardinieres, vases and decorative fruit bowls, which are often placed in the centre of the table like a crown, unless it comes to an eclectic dining area. You can never go wrong if you choose beautiful Eames dining chairs.

Candlesticks, whether they are simple, high glasses or richly decorated metals, are always a welcome guest in every dining room, because they provide irreplaceable ambient lighting when having an evening meal, adding mystique of space, dynamics and warmth. On the walls of the dining room, especially those decorated in a rustic style, you can put decorative ceramic plates or wall murals (you can find affordable wall decals at www.pickawall.com.au), and while in modern spaces flat shelves for books, vases with flowers or some larger mirror will look good.

 

 

John Marcotte
Marcotte Real Estate Group
720-771-9401

john@boulderhomes4u.com

Search for homes on my website @ www.boulderhomes4u.com

When thinking of Real Estate, think of John Marcotte
I’m never too busy for your referrals.

 

new bh4u logo

Boulder Colorado Communities

Boulder homes for sale

Filed Under: Real Estate Topics Tagged With: , ,

HOW DO I GET MY HOUSE READY TO LIST?

February 25, 2014 by

 

HOW DO I GET MY HOUSE READY TO LIST?

 

GET RID OF CLUTTER!The biggest thing that I see, both as a listing agent and when showing houses to a potential buyer, is unbelievable clutter in many houses. Junk everywhere. Clothes everywhere. Dishes and food lying around everywhere! Too much furniture in every room. Get rid of it! It is hard for most buyers to look beyond the clutter to see the underlying house for what it might be. Your stuff, no matter how much it might mean to you is just getting in the way. Get organized to attack this problem.

If you don’t have enough room to neatly store stuff away, consider renting at a local storage facility (size depends on how much clutter you have). Box everything up that you don’t need to have right at hand up and move some of your stuff out. Even consider moving some furniture out, if you have rooms that are too full of furniture. Your precious collection of Beanie Babies all over the bedroom just looks like clutter to someone else. Get them out! Even your knick knacks and hobby stuff may just look like clutter to someone else. Store them off site.. If you don’t want to store it, have a garage sale and get rid of your excess stuff.Read this article on getting rid of clutter before you even attempt to spiff the place up a bit for listing.

Clean the place up. Beyond clutter there is just common cleanliness. If your place smells bad or is excessively dirty, it’s a turn off that will sink the chances of anyone wanting to buy it or will cause them to low-ball the house, since they see a big clean up ahead. This is particularly true of anything that smells of mold or rot. Clean it up. Disinfect and get the smells out! Pay to have the carpets cleaned, so that the buyers won’t automatically be subtracting for replacing the carpets. Cobwebs, spider webs, dust bunnies, dirt tracked floors and other obvious signs of un-cleanliness are red flags to potential buyers that there may be other issues caused by the same slovenly behavior. If you have to, hire a cleaning crew to come in and give the place a good deep cleaning. Here’s a link to a house cleaning guide that can be downloaded. It was put together by professional house cleaners.

Paint or touch up the paint. A $20-30 can of paint could add thousands to the perceived  “value” of a house. I see many houses where the walls are nicked or marked, due to normal wear and tear and the owners have done nothing to make them look better. How cheap can you be? Repair the walls and paint them if they look bad. If you have walls with tons of pictures hanging (especially family pictures); take them down and repair the holes in the wall and put on a fresh coat of paint. Kids’ rooms, especially teenager’s rooms are usually riddled with holes or places where tape has pulled off the paint. Buyers hate to think of having that kind of project right away after moving in and they don’t care about your pictures.

Many kids’ rooms have also been painted in colors that only a kid cold love. Dark purple or black rooms may appeal to a moody teen, but they are a turn off to would-be buyers. The cute clouds with stars on the ceiling of your little Princess’ room also need to be painted over, as well as the mural of the Unicorn on the wall.  Good clean, repaired and painted walls are inviting to buyers and they can envision putting their tons of pictures up. If they want to have clouds and stars for their little Princess, they’ll put them up later.

Get on the “deferred maintenance” items. That’s a polite way of saying to do all of those little things that you’ve been meaning to get to or which you’ve just learned to live with; but, that need fixing. Put plug and switch covers on those open wiring boxes or replace the ones that broke. Replace that piece of shoe molding that the dog or cat crewed or clawed up or that door molding that got roughed up when you were moving something in or out. Replace those light bulbs that burned out and you never got around to replacing. Put up a new curtain rod to replace the one that pulled out of the wall when the cat got snagged on the curtain. Replace or fix that dripping faucet in the laundry room or in the bathroom. If you need help identifying these little projects, ask your Realtor to walk through the house and make recommendations. You know that those little maintenance jobs are there, but maybe you’ve been in denial so long that you just can’t see them anymore.

Be an informed seller. Get a professional home inspection done. Here is link to aHome Inspection Checklist that you can use yourself to do an “inspection” of your home. It is not meant to substitute for a professional job, just to get you thinking about all of the areas of your home that an inspector will be looking at later. You can make these visual inspections without having to get into the depth that the inspector will, but they will tell you a lot about your home and what may need attention. A good home inspection will cost $300-500 depending upon the size of the house, but it is well worth it to avoid show stopping discoveries later. Once you have a buyer in hand you do not want them finding something during their home inspection that will cause them to walk away. Many times this inspection will uncover something that is also bad for your family’s health and must be fixed anyway. It’s better to find out now.

 

 

John Marcotte
Marcotte Real Estate Group
720-771-9401

john@boulderhomes4u.com

Search for homes on my website @ www.boulderhomes4u.com

When thinking of Real Estate, think of John Marcotte
I’m never too busy for your referrals.

 

new bh4u logo

Boulder Colorado Communities

Boulder homes for sale

Filed Under: Real Estate Topics Tagged With: , , , ,

Time sure flies!

February 21, 2014 by

Time sure flies!

spring

Soon it will be Spring and the start of another crazy home buying and selling frenzy is in store for the Boulder area. As you know, last year was crazy with multiple offers, and bidding wars seemed to be the norm. I feel more of the same will be in store for this year with even less inventory then we had  last year. Things are going to get crazy! So, if you are thinking of putting your home on the market, this may be the perfect opportunity. With inventory so low,     I have been sending out mailings for my clients in neighborhoods they have an interest in, simply because there are hardly any homes on the market. When homes do come up for sale, they go under contract in just days.

So if you are thinking of putting your home on the market, or know of someone who is,  please give me a call. I can sit down with you and discuss some Seller tips, like it might be best to put your home up for sale earlier this year to beat the frenzy and sell your home while there is less competition.

Please give me a call, and lets discuss how I can help you. Take care, and I hope to hear from you soon.

 

John Marcotte
Marcotte Real Estate Group
720-771-9401

john@boulderhomes4u.com

Search for homes on my website @ www.boulderhomes4u.com

When thinking of Real Estate, think of John Marcotte
I’m never too busy for your referrals.

 

new bh4u logo

Boulder Colorado Communities

Boulder homes for sale

Filed Under: Real Estate Topics Tagged With: , , , ,

HOMEOWNERS: SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?

February 19, 2014 by

HOMEOWNERS: SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?

Should I stay or should I go. Its not just an anthemic line to a classic song from The Clash. It’s also an age-old question of homeowners everywhere. When your home’s not so perfect, you get the wandering real estate eye. But can another house really compare to what you’ve got going on?

It’s a conundrum. So much so that it’s even spawned a popular show on HGTV called Love It or List It, where owners of a problem pad fight over whether to remain in their home (with the help of a sizable budget and a skilled reno team) or move to something else.

“Families evolve, whether through the birth of children, the acquiring of possessions, or an increase in job rewards. That charming little cottage two lovebirds started out in often becomes an overstuffed matchbox with too few bedrooms and too many toys, tools, and tricycles, with people stumbling over one another in the course of daily life,” said Money Crashers. “Privacy is nonexistent, noise and tensions regularly escalate, and stress is a frequent guest at the dinner table. The only solution is more room.”

So how do you know whether to renovate or move?

CNN Money asked the same question, and has come up with “5 smart fixes” to the stay or go question.

“Happy with where you live but not so hot on your living space? Now might be the perfect time to address your abode’s architectural flaws,” they said. “With real estate prices on the rise, it’s safer than it has been in years to invest in your home.”

Especially when “remodeling away your house’s shortcomings can cost tens of thousands less than trading up to an already remodeled house, which commands a major premium now. In addition, you avoid realtor fees, moving costs, and the inevitable expense of making a new place your own, no matter how ‘turnkey’ it is.”

Here are a few of their “cost-effective solutions to the issues that most commonly force people to move.”

1. Doubling the space in your kitchen

If your home was built before the 1980s, chances are your kitchen is small and closed off from the rest of the home. Removing a wall between the kitchen and dining room or kitchen and family room is an easy and affordable way to create “a feeling of spaciousness — and also clears room for an island or peninsula that can become a key workstation or a place for family and guests to congregate,” said CNN Money.

Expect to pay a minimum of $5,000 “to remove the wall and refinish the surrounding floor, ceiling, and walls,” and more if you need to add a structural beam or relocate any plumbing.

2. Adding a powder bath on the first floor

Older homes that don’t have a bathroom on the main level are not just difficult to sell — they’re difficult to live in. CNN Money says you can solve this issue by renovating existing space. “You can squeeze a powder room into a space as small as four feet by four feet or even three feet by five feet,” they said. “One option is to repurpose a large coat closet, pantry, or under-stairs cubby. Keep in mind that the closer you put the bathroom to existing plumbing, the less it will cost.”

Expect to pay a minimum of $10,000 if you use what you have and up to $25,000 if you’re building a room from scratch.

3. Turning the master bedroom into a master suite

If your master bedroom is adjacent to another room, you can take over the space. “A lot of people do this when the kids go off to college,” said CNN Money.

Remember that lowering the number of bedrooms in your home can also lower your home value, so consider the equation carefully. “You always want to keep your bedroom count on par with the neighborhood,” they said. “So, in a four-bedroom house area, dropping to three may not be a good idea. But in a predominantly two-bedroom neighborhood, you’d still be way ahead of the Joneses.”

Master Suite

Expect the cost to range from $40,000 to $80,000, depending on if you are adding a master bath and exactly how spa-like you intend for it to be.

4. Converting the attic

If you’re short of bedrooms, you’ve probably thought of adding on. But home additions can be very costly. A great solution can be moving into the attic.

“For growing families, the number of bedrooms is often the biggest factor motivating a move to a bigger and more costly home,” said CNN Money. “The ideal place to add bedrooms is the square footage you already own up in the attic.”

Expect to pay $20,000 and up depending on the space allotted and whether or not you need to add windows or a staircase.

Houzz has some great questions to ask yourself if you are trying to decide between moving or remodeling:

  1. “How do you feel about your neighborhood?
  2. Is there some intangible quality to your house?
  3. Does renovating make economic sense?
  4. Does the existing house have good bones?
  5. How will the latest zoning restrictions affect the project?

John Marcotte
Marcotte Real Estate Group
720-771-9401

john@boulderhomes4u.com

Search for homes on my website @ www.boulderhomes4u.com

When thinking of Real Estate, think of John Marcotte
I’m never too busy for your referrals.

new bh4u logo

Boulder Colorado Communities

Boulder homes for sale

Filed Under: Real Estate Topics Tagged With: , , , , ,

TURN A PART OF YOUR HOUSE INTO A SPA

February 15, 2014 by
 

WHY IS THIS GOOD?

Investing in a house you live in is never a bad choice. What is a very smart move is having home renovations, turning your cellar or your attic, or if you have some other free space in your home, into a spa. This will provide relaxation for you and your whole family, but it will also increase the value of your house if you plan on selling it in the future. Another way to increase your home’s value is by investing in the best walk-in closet designs. A well-designed walk-in closet can make a big difference in how you and potential buyers view your home, as it can improve organization and provide a luxurious touch. This is something that just a few fortunate ones own in their homes, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to be a billionaire, if you want to own one in your house. Decent incomes and savings can cover expenses like this, as there is a lot of equipment that will satisfy your domestic needs –it need not be of professional quality.

BASICS: PREPARING THE SPACE

Cleaning the space you intend to turn into your personal spa is inevitable, especially because hygiene is very important. Tiling the floor with smooth tiles will make it easier for cleaning and there are a lot of different options on tender, including many patterns and colors. If your floor is already tiled, this is one less expense for you. A parquet has its own advantages – you wouldn’t have to install floor heating underneath the floor surface because wood is much warmer. Just do the sanding and you are ready to move onto other things.

RELAX IN YOUR OWN SAUNA

Relaxation is why you do this, so make it a real deal by putting a sauna in.  Conventional saunas or infrared saunas – it is your choice. The difference between the two is that the first one is heating the air and the second one is heating the objects found in it. You can purchase one in various sizes, so it won’t be a problem finding the right place where to put it. Pick a corner where you want to install it and make sure that there is a window near that place or an air conditioning vent. Proper installations will avoid the mold on your walls and the ceiling. Half an hour spent in spa weekly can improve your health a lot and it is a solution, if you have respiration problems.

MORE ENJOYING AND MORE ACTIVITY

After you are finished with sweating in your sauna, you should make a short pause and head to the shower, or a hot tub. Hydrotherapy after a day of hard work is really pleasing to the whole body as well as your mind – it will take all the stress away. Adjust your hydro massagers according to your own needs over a cup of hot tea or hot chocolate, while you are chatting with your friends and family. Hot tubs are designed to handle more than one person at a time and hygiene is kept with various products. You are not going to change the water in your tub every time you get out. Instead just put a cleansing pill once you are finished and in a couple of hours it will be ready for further use.

Houses with enough free space can even comfortably hold an inside pool. Complete your spa day at home by taking a swim in your own pool. Sounds pretty good! Additional physical activity couldn’t possibly harm you. Keep in mind that this is not a regular swimming pool, so according to some spa standards, it shouldn’t be that deep, but it should be rather narrow and lengthy. Tile it with mosaic pool tiles and add a new dimension to your personal spa.

ALL THE SUNDRIES

Bathrobes, soft towels, fragrance oils and candles are a great finishing touch to a complete spa experience. Don’t forget peeling body lotions and hydrating creams that will give your body a glowing effect after all of these special treatments. If this doesn’t make you feel good, relaxed and satisfied, nothing will!

 
 
 
 
John Marcotte
The Marcotte Real Estate Group
www.boulderhomes4u.com
 
john@boulderhomes4u.com
 

Filed Under: Real Estate Topics Tagged With: , , ,
Next Page »