Boulder Area Horse Properties Rare But Not Obsolete

With land at such a premium in and around Boulder County, properties that have substantial acreage, a sophisticated home and equestrian amenities are few and far between. But they do exist, and I have some fantastic horse properties listed in various price ranges. Here's a brief snapshot of a few great opportunities to own luxury equestrian properties in or just outside Boulder County:

5310 Caribou Springs Trail sits on more than 6 acres within the esteemed Caribou Springs Ranch, a gated luxury community just north of Boulder in east Longmont. In addition to great views and a spectacular 6,230-square-foot home with incredible Colorado-style interior finishes, the property also offers multiple fenced pastures to accommodate horses. There's a guest house, too. What draws a lot of horse enthusiasts to Caribou Springs Ranch is the community's optional shared horse barn with ranch manager who can care for your horses while you're away. There also is an extensive network of recreational trails that encircles the community...and phenomenal views of Boulder's foothills. It's a horse haven with convenience and security all rolled into one. Priced at $2.495 million. Click here for more details.

The Phoenix Ranch, just east of Caribou Springs Ranch, is more than a fabulous horse property. It's an "everything" property. For the truly discerning luxury buyer, there's not a finer estate in Boulder County. With 40 lush acres, an exquisite 10,000-square-foot residence, a 5,000-square-foot heated barn, a custom in-ground pool, tennis courts, basketball courts and county approval to add even more equestrian amenities, The Phoenix Ranch is among the most rare luxury properties in Northern Colorado let alone Boulder County. I've created a separate website for this property. Visit it at http://www.thephoenixranch.com/ to view a slide show and get more details. The Phoenix Ranch is offered at $8.195 million.

Just east of the Boulder County line in western Weld County is 1767 WCR 20.5, a charming acreage that offers 11+ acres with mature landscaping, a large private pond, superb

mountain views and completely fenced horse pastures. The property includes a 2-story home with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, covered porch & many interior updates. Outbuildings include a separate office/studio, equipment shed and oversized 3-car garage/workshop. Offered at $989,000, and owner carry is available with negotiable down payment and terms. Click here for details.

These are just a few among the collection of properties I have in my inventory of luxury homes and estates that currently have or could easily accommodate horses and equine amenities. Looking for the perfect land/home package to suit you and your horses' needs? Email me or call me at 303-443-6161.

New To the Market: Boulder Home Features Priceless Views, Stunning Location

Thanks to everyone who came out for yesterday's open house tour in Niwot and Boulder. It was great to get a taste of Spring activity and experience some momentum heading into the busiest season of the year!

There's one special listing that wasn't on the tour but certainly is worthy of a luxury buyer's attention. I just listed it week and it is spectacular. It's located at 2695 Lafayette Drive in south Boulder, a thriving area where pop-tops and scrapes are revitalizing the neighborhoods once reflective of the 1960s and '70s. This home, just shy of 7,000 square feet, rests on a .63-acre lot perfectly positioned to capture unobstructed views of Boulder's cityscape and mountain range...Flatirons included. Anyone who knows anything about Boulder real estate understands the rarity and value of such a view corridor, and this home has one of the best in the city of Boulder.

The entire home was restored in 1998, thus giving it modern appeal and amenities while maximizing its views from the inside out. Today the home boasts 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, a state-of-the-art home theater, 2 offices, a sauna, a basement-level rec room with bar and salt water aquarium, a large craft room, luxury master bath, a 2-sided fireplace in the master suite and bath, a wood burning fireplace in the great room, a sun room and so much more. The home is enveloped in lush landscaping, flower gardens and expansive outdoor entertainment areas.

This home and its stunning location are offered at $3.499 million. It's truly one of the most view-oriented residences in Boulder County. View more photos or email me to schedule a private viewing of this masterpiece Boulder home.

This Sunday's Luxury Home Tour to Include 5 Incredible Legendary Properties

Boulder real estate's Spring sales season is here and we're kicking it off this Sunday, March 15th, with a luxury home tour featuring 5 of my premier listings.

The Sotheby's Spring Home Tour runs from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. (each of my properties will be open at 12 p.m. but some of the tour's Denver properties open at 1 p.m.) and include the following luxury residences represented by The Legendary Team at Sotheby's International Realty:

• 6470 Cherry Court, Somerset Estates, offered at $3.95 million; preview it online at http://www.6470CherryCourt.com. For directions, click here.



• 6522 Legend Ridge Trail, Legend Ridge, offered at $1.595 million; click here to preview it online. For directions, click here.



• 8215 Cattail Drive, Somerset Estates, offered at $2.995 million; click here to preview it online.Click here for directions.
  



• 6359 Snowberry Lane, Somerset Estates, offered at $5.4 million; click here to preview it online. For directions, click here.



• 1385 White Hawk Ranch Drive, White Hawk Ranch, offered at $1.795 million, click here to preview it online. For directions, click here.

This tour will showcase several of the most opulent custom homes currently available in Boulder County. We hope you join us in kicking off what we anticipate will be a very busy and prosperous Spring 2009!

A Glipmse into Sales Stats for Boulder County's Outlying Areas

As mentioned in my last blog entry, I have been taking a hard look at Boulder County sales statistics to see how this January's data compared to that of January '08. Last Friday I looked at the sales stats as they relate to single-family residential home sales within the City of Boulder. Today I want to share the same statistics for the area known to Realtors and by the MLS as 'Suburban Plains'. This area includes the outlying/rural areas of Boulder and Longmont (not within the city limits) and includes all of Niwot, a prime luxury residential market...

• Sales volume is down 39%: Last January, 18 homes sold in Boulder County's suburban plains area compared to only 11 this January.


• Average 'days to contract' increased 14.6%: Homes that went under contract in January 2008 waited an average of 82 days before going under contract; this January the average 'days to contract' was 94.


• Available inventory is up 23%: Last January there were 187 active listings in the suburban plains district; this January there were 230.


• Median sales price increased 1.3%: This area's median sales price in January 2008 was $390,000 while in January 2009 it was $395,000.


• Average sales price up 42.2%: The average sales price of the 11 homes that sold in January 2009 was $665,949 compared to January 2008's average of $468,378. The sharp increase in average sales price without a sharp increase in median sales price can be attributed to a few significant high-end sales this January.

I hate to sound repetitive but my advice for homeowners in Boulder's suburban plains is the same as it is for those in the City of Boulder. You must be realistic when selling during a downturn in the market. You should be priced competitively to garner the attention of today's buyers and you should be in the mindset that you likely will have to be negotiable to get your home under contract. Today's buyer is not always looking for the best home but rather the best deal.

Pictured above is a listing I have in Niwot's luxury community of Legend Ridge. This home is priced at $1,595,000, a real value for more than 7,500 square feet and a .8-acre homesite...click here for details on this property.

Boulder's Green Reputation Earns Presidential Praise

Denver was in the national spotlight yesterday when President Obama signed the $787 billion economic stimulus bill at Denver's Museum of Nature and Science. But for us Boulder residents, it was great to see Boulder earn some national stage time as the poster city for a greener future. Boulder businessman Blake Jones, who is the President and co-owner of Boulder's Namaste Solar, actually introduced President Obama and gave him and the Vice President a tour of the solar panel system that Namaste Solar installed at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. During his speech, President Obama acknowledged Boulder as "a community that is on pace to be the world’s first Smart Grid city."

Boulder's commitment to being a green city has certainly impacted the process (and cost) of home building and remodeling in Boulder. The city of Boulder was the first municipality in the United States to mandate a residential green code. That was in 1996 and the code was revised in 2001. Boulder City Council adopted the Boulder Green Points ordinance in November 2007 and it went in effect a year ago this month. Last November, new requirements were passed that increase energy efficiency in new commercial construction and residential remodels and additions. These requirements go into effect March 2.


While many home builders I work with have felt the financial pinch of the Green Points ordinance (it does cost more up front to build green), the silver lining - or should I say green lining - of Boulder's green building movement is a healthier and more sustainable city that will be among the nation's most desirable places to call home. Thus, Boulder will see a stable and growing real estate market and be a mecca for energy-related job opportunities.


Lastly, Boulder's environmental charge has helped inspire some incredible architecture and design that reflects the innate beauty of Boulder. I recently sold 'Boulder's Glass House' (pictured above) and have several other premier listings that are prime examples of the emergence of 'eco-architecture' in and around Boulder.

Wineglass Ranch Offers a Rare Opportunity to Build in Boulder

As I discussed in my last blog entry, vacant buildable land in Boulder, Colorado, is scarce due to the city's growth limitations and Boulder's aggressive open space programs. The very thing that makes Boulder such a great place to live also makes it a more difficult place to get established if your dream is to build from the ground up.

There are a few exceptions in and around Boulder, however. I recently listed three amazing Boulder home sites collectively known as "Wineglass Ranch." Sited in north Boulder just southwest of where Broadway meets Hwy 36, these lots are rarities in terms of their size, view corridors and quick access to downtown Boulder. Two of the three lots are roughly 7 acres while the remaining lot is +/- 5 acres. The views are spectacular. From Boulder's Flatirons to the south to the craggy rock formations toward Lyons, Colorado, to the north and even Boulder Reservoir, these sites offer a true feast for eyes. And they are a trailblazer's delight with easy access to the veins of public trails that traverse across Boulder's northern foothills.

Another distinction that makes these lots so prime is their access. Each site has paved driveways off of Lee Hill Road (also paved), and each lot is serviced by city utilities. The lots range in price from $960,000 to $1.39 million each and can be purchased individually or together. They certainly are a blank and marvelous canvas for someone seeking to create their Boulder masterpiece.

What is Boulder Real Estate's "Market Action Index"?

So just what kind of market is the Boulder real estate market in February 2009? A buyer's market? A seller's market? Those questions are broad and the answers may vary depending upon variables such as the areas and subareas in Boulder and the price range in which one is buying or selling.

ALTOS Research, a real estate research company that gives subscribers real-time research statistics, attempts to quantify "buyer's market" and "seller's market" using a "Market Action Index" or "MAI." The MAI is a statistical function of the current rate of sales versus current inventory. An MAI value of 30 or greater typically shows a hot market for sellers while an MAI less than 30 typically indicates a buyer's market.

This week ALTOS shows a 90-day MAI of 17 for Boulder, Colorado. Thus, statistically speaking, Boulder is a buyer's market. However, home sales have been exceeding new inventory in Boulder for several weeks now and prices seem to have responded by moving upward. If the demand trends continue, Boulder housing prices may continue upward and the MAI will grativate toward that of a seller's market.

Regardless of what statistics tell us, low interest rates are spurring buyer's to act in and around Boulder. With real estate's prime selling season coinciding with historically low interest rates (and pending government incentives to buy homes), this spring may be a great time to be a seller in Boulder, Colorado!

The Phoenix Ranch is Epitome of Boulder, Colorado Luxury

Having sold luxury properties in and around Boulder, Colorado, for more than 20 years, it takes a special property to really make me say 'wow.' The Phoenix Ranch, rising from a lush 40-acre parcel in east Longmont, is one of those 'wow' properties. I'm very proud to have this listing among my portfolio of pinnacle properties. It's named "The Phoenix Ranch" but don't let the name deceive you...this stunning residence and its many amenities are very 'Colorado'. From the hand-carved native stone gracing the interior and exterior of the 10,568-square-foot home to its massive picture windows that frame Rocky Mountain peaks, The Phoenix Ranch is a special property for someone desiring the finest in Colorado luxury. There's something very unique about how this home merges various materials and textures --metals, stones and woods -- to give each room a dimension that you can feel as much as you can see. And that's just the home. The 5,000-square-foot barn complete with radiant heat and drive-through custom overhead doors makes for a functional yet lavish set-up for horse hobbiests and the serious equestrian. While its features are many (visit the website for details and photos), here are just a few of the jaw-dropping highlights:

• 10,568-square-foot 'Colorado contemporary' main residence with 8 bedrooms and 6 baths


• Equestrian center with 5,000-square-foot barn


• Gated 40-acre parcel sheltered among hundreds of trees


• Tennis courts


• Basketball courts


• Custom commercial grade pool and water feature


• Prime location with easy access to Boulder and Denver