Boulder Neighborhoods 103

Boulder Neighborhoods 103-An Introduction-Check out 101 and 102

Old North Boulder is bridled on the north by Iris and on the east by 19^th St, on the south by Balsam and on the west by Broadway. Right in the thick of Boulder real estate without the Newlands price tag. Big trees, quiet, some views of the foothills, some scrapers and numerous renovations and still renovatable properties. Parks, Iris gardens, North Boulder Rec Center and the rather large community gardens all within walking/biking distance of Ideal Market, Vics Espresso, Rada,  Breadworks, Safeway, Buddha Thai Cuisine.

Schools in the area are Crestview Elementary, Foothill Elementary, Columbine Elementary and Casey Middle School

University Hill is bordered by University on the north border and some believe it actually goes to Arapahoe as the north border, Broadway is the eastern edge and 9^th St as the western border and then to the south where it completes at Baseline. If you go further south you will start to discover Chautauqua Park. As you head west of Uni Hill it becomes slightly more tranquil. Building here started in the 1800’s up to the 1950’s. Many homes being restored to their former splendor. Some homes being scraped for newer construction. Near world class hiking, climbing, scenery and numerous cultural events being held at Chautauqua auditorium from classical to rhythm and blues. University Hill is tough to beat for a continuing strong investment with a highly desired location.

Schools in the area are Flatirons Elementary and Casey Middle.

Martin Acres is Boulders’ beloved triangle for Boulder real estate bordered by Table Mesa  on the south to Highway 36 Turnpike  to the East and Broadway to the West. What is often called affordable Boulder because you can still buy in for around $400,000.   Residents often gather to celebrate community events, pitch in and help each other with philanthropic projects or wave to one another while cycling on the Bear Creek Bike Path. Convenient, quiet and secluded neighborhood.  Surprisingly great views from many homes’ vantage point.  Shopping is nearby and if you commute to Denver or Golden or want to ski in any of the majors this is very convenient.

Schools in the area are Creekside Elementary and Manhattan Middle School.

South Boulder is considered Table Mesa to the North and Broadway to the east all the way up to the foothills. A large area with older homes, new builds, newer homes, and wonderful views. Some affordable Boulder real estate homes ready to renovate. Easy access to numerous  trails. Because of the Bear Creek Elementary school this is a hot area with parents that want to get there children in to the Bear Creek School district. Convenient, quiet, secluded however close to all amenities. Fantastic up close and personal views of the Flatirons.  Shopping is nearby and if you commute to Denver or Golden or want to ski in any of the majors this is very convenient.

Schools in the area are Bear Creek Elementary and Southern Hills Middle School.

If you have questions regarding this article any of the neighborhoods or have any questions about Boulder or would like information about Boulder Luxury Real Estate check out my website. You may also call or TEXT me 303-359-6627 or e-mail Michael Hughes at Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty in Boulder, CO. 

Green Innovation

Shared from Elliott Lemanager & Christopher Demorro

“Sure  I’ve seen a lot of ideas and concepts come out of the green industry but I do have to say this is one of the best ideas I’ve seen to date. It’s thinking out of the box for sure but utilizing our existing network or roads for solar power could generate more clean energy.” Christopher Demorro says “The Department of Transportation awarded the $100,000 to Solar Roadways. This money is to build a 12? x 12? prototype road section, the average width of a highway lane. Solar Roadways creator Scott Brushaw proposes that his prototype will be able to capture and produce energy from the sun. This energy would then be used to light the roadways, “paint” lines, and flash warnings to motorists about upcoming hazards like an accident or daring animal, as well as providing power to America’s home and businesses.”

Imagine powering your car from the roadway and tolls for constant fuel instead of “gas stops” paid out in to a greener cleaner quieter world. Maybe there are no longer tires but the car floats much like Blade Runner or Bruce Willis’ cab in The 5th Element. It’s a new world where innovation and advanced thinking will win.

http://www.elliottlemenager.com/2011/04/14/solar-highways-replacing-asphalt-with-solar-panels/

If you have questions about this article please leave a comment, text or email me. Michael Hughes-Sotheby’s International Realty-Boulder. Cell 303.359.6627  michael.hughes@sothebysrealty.com

We’re Number 3, We’re Number 3 . . .

Colorado comes up Number 3! America’s smartest states Check it out!

If you have questions regarding this link or have any questions about Boulder or would like information about Boulder Luxury Real Estate check out my website. You may also call or TEXT me 303-359-6627 or e-mail Michael Hughes at Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty in Boulder, CO.

Boulder Softens Building Rules

Posted by Michael Hughes-Sotheby’s International Realty-Boulder

We know you would like a bigger house in Boulder. In Boulder luxury real estate, the commissioners say you can’t have a bigger house in Boulder, unless you have the money then you can have a bigger one.

It is difficult to build a house in Boulder larger than 6,000 square feet. This has been a rule since 2008. If you really want a larger house you can buy what are called “development offsets.” Very few people have purchased the offsets to increase the size threshold. Boulder luxury real estate is suffering from these autocratic rules.

Because this has been a problematic and controversial rule in Boulder, the Boulder County Commissioners (have been pressured in to re-thinking these tightly bound rules) they finally have unanimously voted to soften the program’s rules. The house rules were developed in response to the large homes being built in Boulder County. Always “trying” to keep it green the county planners tried to reign in building the larger homes while increasing local coffers.

The program necessitates the builder of homes larger than 6,000 square feet to buy TDC’s (Transferable Development Credits) these are sold from vacant land or from homeowners who decide to maintain their homes at 2,000 square feet or smaller.

The new softening of the rules the commissioners approved allows homeowners to add a one-time addition of up to 200 square feet without buying any development credits. I applaud this as a decision in the right direction (coupled with other decisions) and will ultimately help get Boulder’s house market going better than ever.

If you have questions regarding this article or have any questions about Boulder or would like information about Boulder Luxury Real Estate check out my website. You may also call or TEXT me 303-359-6627 or e-mail Michael Hughes at Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty in Boulder, CO.

Farmers Markets and Slurry Bombers

Posted by Michael Hughes   September 9, 2010

Every weekend I stay at my girlfriend Jocelyn’s house. We love being around each other and it’s a nice break from her and my hectic schedules. We get to work in the garden and better yet eat from the garden. Every Saturday and Sunday morning Jocelyn doesn’t exactly jump, but she is disciplined and gets out of bed around what feels like 6ish a.m. to ride her road bicycle 40-50+ miles. She rides with her best friend Marcie. I get up around 8ish. Make a strong cup of coffee and sit on the porch perusing the back 5 acres, listening to the birds and enjoying the crisp Colorado morning. I kick it into high gear to get to my usual Saturday morning Muay Thai Kickboxing, where I am pursuing my Black Belt at Tran’s Martial Arts in Longmont, run by some of the finest people on the planet. After the mornings exercise, I usually meet with clients and then Jocelyn and I usually meet up and head to the farmers market with the idea that the best produce is what we produce, but if we can’t then the best is at the Boulder Farmers’ Market.

This weekend there may not be too many cyclists on the road, what with the smoke and the fire in the nearby foothills. It’s sad to see and hear about so many of the locals having lost their homes. The final count is not in yet but currently stands at a loss of 139 homes in the foothills above Boulder, Colorado.

Fire trucks arrive from increasingly distant communities. 3,500 people have been evacuated. Only 13 families in the public shelter attesting to Boulder’s tight knit mountain community. The boulder reservoir is a tent city for all the firefighters and emergency responders. Still getting a little smoke in the city but not as bad as Monday. The ash is less frequently falling like snow. So far no known fatalities. I am most concerned for the pilots of the slurry bombers who are taking great risks flying so low in unpredictable conditions. Several years ago a big bomber went down near Estes Park killing both on board when a wing support failed. The fleet is quite old and subject to structural failure. Pray for the firefighters and the emergency responders, pray for the families and pray for the slurry bombers in their ancient craft.

If you have questions regarding this article or have thought about selling, renting, investing or  would like to Buy A House In Boulder check out my website. You may also call, text me 303-359-6627 or e-mail Michael Hughes at Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty in Boulder, CO. Featured Listings

Boulder Double Happiness

Boulder "is" Double Happiness

By Michael Hughes  February 16, 2010

*Please leave comments*

Feeling down? Don’t take a pill.  Consider buying a home in Boulder and a move to Boulder, Colorado.

A massive new study of Americans’ attitudes concludes that the city at the foot of the Rocky Mountains is home to the happiest, healthiest people in the United States. At the bottom of 162 large and medium-sized cities: Huntington, W.Va.

Is it any wonder we are the happiest, healthiest people in the U.S.?  Attitude is everything and when you are healthy a great attitude comes easier. Get happy, notice the good, appreciate even the smallest gift from the universe,get healthy, live in Boulder, Colorado.

CHECK THE INDEX: How does your city rank?

STATES: See how yours rates

Most cities in the west scored higher while more cities in the south scored lower.

Boulder’s setting, including a greenbelt of public lands around the city, may help explain its top ranking. Mayor Susan Osborne says. “We tend to have lots of opportunities for being outside,” she says. The jobless rate is 5.7%, below the nation’s 9.7%.  Also the 300+ days of sunshine doesn’t hurt. Do we ever have opportunities for being outdoors! Hiking, snow shoeing, skiing, climbing, cycling, mt. biking, or my friend Mr. Gusts’ favorite pastime building igloos up in Rocky Mt. National Park,  running, walking, bouldering and ice climbing. Even indoors is great and boot camps with Mr. Meier, Trans Muay Thai Kickboxing which is what I love, to name but just a few. Get in shape. Be the best you you can be. We love Boulder.  It is upbeat, cutting edge, new feeling, new ideas and answers to old questions, the best city to love in, live in, play in and where all the children are above average.

To read the entire article  go to  http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-02-15-cities_N.htm

If you have questions regarding this article or Boulder Real Estate please call me 303-359-6627 or e-mail Michael Hughes at Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty in Boulder, CO

We Don’t Need No Stinking Septic

By Michael Hughes January 26, 2010

• If you are buying or selling a home in the *suburban plains, rural or mountain areas of Boulder County, the property most likely has a septic system and is not served by a municipal sewer system.  When working well, these personal waste systems are out of sight and out of mind. When working correctly there is no smell, no visible liquid and the solids are held in a concrete tank which has some natural bacteria which breaks down the waste.  Every few years the tank needs to be pumped out.  Simple! Typically it is a great system and works for decades.
• When not working well, these personal waste systems can be smelly and pose multiple health hazards and the possibility of releasing untreated matter into the environment, the house and the drinking or well water.

A great deal of the building in nearby mountains, rural and some plains took place starting in the 60’s. This means that the septic systems for many homes in the rural areas have outdated septic systems. Boulder County started regulating the septic units to ensure that wastewater was being handled correctly. To find out more about what you need to know when buying or selling a home with a septic tank go to Septic Smart. You may also call Michael with any questions.

*Some but not all of suburban plains properties have septic tanks.

If you have questions, need help buying or selling a property give me a call Michael or visit my website or my blog.  Please leave a comment it really helps.  Thanks.

Louisville, Colorado Named Top Place to Live

By Michael Hughes

Population: 19,405
Median home price (2006): $322,812
Average property taxes (2006): $1,979
Pros: Historic downtown; Farmers Markets, Running, hiking, biking, outdoor concerts (summer)  and skiing
Cons: Technology -heavy economy with a side of Bio Tech

Louisville was founded in 1882 and the iconic buildings give the town a feel of downtowns of long ago.  Near Boulder, Colorado. Where you can check out a house in Boulder, Boulder Real Estate or Homes in Louisville.  Louisville’s economy is nouveau tech: Technology firms are the area’s mainstay (IBM, Sun Micro, Ball, Level 3, Amgen  and more).  Not to mention the upcoming ConocoPhillips alternative energy campus in the works.  Louisville is only 6 miles from Boulder and 22 from Denver. Outdoor living at its best.  Panoramic views of the front range Rocky Mountains abound.  Louisville’s 26-mile wooded biking and running path winds through much of the town. On summer Friday nights, residents head to the downtown Louisville Street Faire, for concerts, entertainment,  artisans, beer and food. Saturdays head to the farmers market or in July the summer film series.  A great place to live with excellent restaurants that have been here forever.  Solid deals, nice people, all American type of town.
Home prices are up recently because this is one of the greatest places in America to live.  Family friendly.  A cool place to thrive.  It can snow one day and be gone the following day.  As Garrison Keillor says “where all the women are strong, the men are good looking and the children are above average.”

I can help. If you have questions about this article or anything Boulder give me a call anytime. Michael Hughes-Fuller Sothebys International Realty=303-359-6627 or you can visit my website at www.BolderRealEstate.com