Boulder Real Estate

Lake Valley Longmont, Golf Course and homes for sale:  Looking for a Boulder-area golf-course home?  The Lake Valley neighborhood in southwest Longmont, CO is a large neighborhood comprised of semi-custom and custom homes that generally surround the Lake Valley Golf Course.  Lake Valley homes range in price from about $400,000 to $800,000 and include some homes with stunning views.  Just about equidistant from the south side of Longmont and the north end of Boulder, this mature neighborhood has a lot to offer.

The neighborhood is known for its views and its access to open space, hiking trails, etc., and for the recreational amentities its residents enjoy.  The Lake Valley HOA is shared with the adjacent North Rim neighborhood, and provides a private swimming lake and sand beach, playground, as well as basketball and tennis courts.

The Lake Valley Golf Course was designed and built in the early 1960's, opened in 1964 and today provides 18 unique holes and scenery that span some 6,725 yards along with a beautiful clubhouse for its private, non-equity members.  If you've never played a round at the Lake Valley Golf Club, take a short drive north on Highway 36 from Boulder, or take the Diagonal Highway from Longmont to Niwot Rd. and go west.  You'll be pleasantly surprised at the quality of the course and the variety of Lake Valley homes for sale.

To browse the Boulder MLS inventory in Lake Valley, you can bookmark www.HomesinLakeValley.com.  If you have any questions about Lake Valley, feel free to contact us.

When is it a good idea to pay points on a mortgage loan?  This is a common question for people buying a new home, but it also comes up when an existing mortgage loan is re-financed.  In general, the practice of paying "points" on a loan is fairly common and is often viewed as simply a cost of obtaining the loan.  The question that people obtaining a mortgage should ask is, whether paying points is a good idea and a sound financial decision based on their specific circumstances?  In order to answer this question, borrowers have to look at the mechanics of the way points are charged, and do some simple math that will make the decision much easier.

Here's the problem: Many borrowers shop for mortgage loans based solely on the interest rate, or "face rate" of the loan, and don't really pay enough attention to the APR.  The difference between the two has to do with fees and costs associated with the loan that typically cause the APR to be slightly higher.  Loan points can be a big part of those up-front costs.  So, what is a mortgage loan "point" and how is it calculated?

A point is simply 1% of the loan amount, so on a $250,000 loan, one point would equate to $2,500 regardless of the interest rate involved.  Many times borrowers will want the lowest possible interest rate, and will agree to pay points in order to get a lower face rate.  Depending on the circumstances of the borrower, this may or may not be a great decision.  Here are some practical tips to help you decide if this practice is right for you on your next mortgage loan:

• How much money are we talking about? Convert the number of points into dollars.

• How much less, in dollars, will my monthly payment be if I pay these up-front points vs. not paying them?

• Calculate the "payback" period, i.e, the number of months it will take to break even on this expenditure, by dividing the cost by the amount saved per month.  For example: Paying $2,500 in points to save $50/month, yields a payback period of 50 months ($2,500 / $50 = 50).

• Compare the payback period to the amount of time you expect to be in the home from this point. In the above example, if you felt like there was a good chance you would be in the home for less than 5 more years (60 more months), it might not be a good financial decision to pay those points.

This is a simple example, but many borrowers never make this connection and unnecessarily pay way too much up front to close a loan.  I've had some seasoned home buyers ignore this relationship in their zest to squeeze out the lowest possible interest rate, when the payback period was longer than they've ever owned a home before!  Also think about the flip-side: What if you are planning to be in this new home for another 20 years?  It might make sense to pay even more points up front and come out ahead over time.

In the world of real estate and home mortgages, your circumstances should dictate whether or not paying points is best for you.  Knowing the payback period is just one way to help you make that important decision.  If you're thinking about buying or selling a Boulder home, please feel free to contact us.

Boulder Condos For Sale: Powderhorn unit at 4799 White Rock Circle just listed (MLS 641511).  Conveniently located on the north side of Boulder just off the Diagonal Highway, between Jay Rd. and 63rd, this Powderhorn unit shows the pride of over 10 years' ownership and offers a great value in the Boulder real estate market.

4799 White Rock Circle, Unit C, is a rare end unit near the outdoor pool, tennis court and year-round hot tub!  Tastefully updated with Pergo flooring, stainless appliances and A/C, and is move-in ready - even the washer and dryer are included!  Pets are OK at Powderhorn, and the location is ideal - just steps from the community walking trails and dog park.  Great HOA with low dues and high owner-occupancy (FHA approved).  Features include an open floor plan, vaulted ceilings, cozy wood-burning fireplace, private balcony, and ground-level x-tra storage closet.  2nd bedroom with double doors would also be a great study or nursery.  Powderhorn is close to public transportation, area employers like IBM, and is one of Boulder's most popular condominium projects.

If you've been considering buying a Boulder condo, this Powderhorn unit and this condominium complex represent a great opportunity.  For more information feel free to contact us.  If you would like to browse the Boulder MLS for every condo listed for sale, feel free to visit and bookmark www.BoulderCondosOnline.com.

1379 Padfield Place in Erie, CO (MLS 639846): Our newest listing in coveted Erie Village in Boulder County, CO, this quality custom home features remarkable quality & high-end finishes.  A rare Greek Revival home on a private cul-de-sac with an additional 576 sf carriage house above the over-sized garage that could be finished as an in-law suite, for a nanny, or even as a legal rental unit with separate entrance.  A one-of-a-kind custom home with striking curb appeal.

Stunning interior finishes include detail moldings/baseboards, high-end fixtures, A/C and 3 ceiling fans, Plantation-style shutters, art niches, vaulted ceilings, & more.  Kitchen with slab granite, custom hickory cabinets, stainless-steel appliances, gas range and cooktop, and a chromium/nickel sink.  Four private balconies finished with Brazilian wood and the Mountain views are beautiful.  This is a rare and unique home with 3 stories plus a full, unfinished basement for even more room.  The 3rd floor loft area is a private "get-away" perfect for a rec room or a 2nd office with a private balcony and a stunning Mountain view.  Additional features include a private main-floor office, 2 x 6 exterior walls, custom window and door treatments, and the list goes on and on.

Contact Phil Boren today for more information and your private showing of this high-quality custom home in coveted Erie Village.  You can browse all Erie homes for sale and discover why Erie is one of Boulder County's most desirable locations.