FOR SALE: 1242 S Mesa Court, Superior

Rock Creek Ranch is a popular place to be, with its mature landscaping, great neighborhood amenities, and Boulder Valley schools. With over 2800sqft, this 2-story has a living room, family room and rec room so there is space for everyone and all their activities. The three upstairs bedrooms have a desirable separation between the primary and other bedrooms. There is a main level bedroom with adjacent 3/4 bath which is convenient for guests. The basement bedroom is currently being used as an office but is a conforming bedroom with egress window. The owners moved the laundry room to the basement (washer and dryer included) so they would have more space in the mudroom, but the taps are still there if you'd like to bring it back up to the main floor.

The kitchen has been recently remodeled with stainless appliances, beautiful counters and refinished hardwood floors. It looks out onto a large, low-maintenance, composite deck. The lot is just over a quarter acre, with mature trees shading the deck, sprinklers in the front and back, and a drip irrigation system. All the windows in the house have been replaced except for one in the primary bathroom.

Other features include a gas fireplace in the family room, Nest thermostat, shed and desirable cul-de-sac location. The listing price is $849,000 and the home will be available to view until Sunday evening when offers are due. If you'd like a private showing, don't hesitate to contact me!

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@elevatedrealestate.com

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FOR SALE: 1562 E Riverbend Street, Superior

This one will not disappoint! The owners of this Rock Creek 2-story have taken great care of their home, and polished up the cosmetics, too! Let's start with the the 3 bedrooms up and 5 piece primary bathroom. Two of the bedrooms share a full bath and have some separation from the primary bedroom. All of the windows in the house have been replaced in the last few years and let in a ton of natural light. The main floor has a renovated eat-in kitchen with counter seating along with a formal living and dining room. The family room has vaulted ceilings, wood floors and a gas fireplace. Top it off with a main floor bed/office, remodeled powder room and laundry.

The finished basement has a 3/4 bath near the conforming guest bedroom, storage space, plus a large bonus room that serve many purposes at once. The basement carpeting is brand new and the water heater is just two years old. The private backyard has a play structure and deck, with patio furniture that can be thrown into the deal. Since this is a corner lot, the 2-car garage side loads with a south facing driving so the snow will melt by midday. A radon mitigation system is already installed and a pre-listing inspection has been done to give the new buyers peace of mind and offers are due by the evening of July 18. Asking price is $849,000 and includes the neighborhood amenities - tennis courts, pools, clubhouse, exercise room and walking trails. Just minutes to shopping and restaurants in a few directions - drive over and see why people love Superior!

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@elevatedrealestate.com

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FOR SALE: 1567 E Riverbend Street, Superior

This is your Superior dream home! Located in Rock Creek, backing to ponds, this five bedroom 2-story house has enough square footage for everyone to get a little privacy but also big enough rooms to play a game of pool or enjoy a movie together.

The main levels boasts wood floors, tons of natural light, some newer windows, a formal living and dining room, half bath and good sized laundry room. The kitchen flows nicely into the family room with vaulted ceilings and skylights. Newer stainless steel appliances, huge pantry and leather-finished granite countertops round out the eat-in kitchen. There's even an EV charger in the garage! Spend the beautiful Colorado evenings on the deck overlooking green space while you grill up dinner. Or entertain friends down below on the brick patio around the fire pit and in the hot tub!

Upstairs, the primary bedroom has a walk-in closet and updated 5-piece bath with quartz countertops. The whole-house fan works great to cool the house down between seasons. If you like it a little colder, the new central air conditioning unit can be counted on for years to come. In addition, the three other upstairs bedrooms have fans and share a roomy full bathroom.

The finished basement is just as great as the two upper floors. Game room, fifth bedroom, full bathroom, plenty of storage and a giant bonus room with Ikea cabinets included. Because it's a walkout, it doesn't feel at all like a basement. The exterior was just painted a couple of year ago so there's plenty of life left.

You probably know demand is high in the Boulder Valley School District. Not to mention the great amenities that Rock Creek, Flatirons Mall and downtown Louisville offer only minutes away. Asking price is $820,000. There is an offer deadline of Monday, May 10 at 5pm, so don't wait to call me for your private showing!

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@elevatedrealestate.com

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FOR SALE: 3202 Cimarron Place, Superior

 

Here is Colorado outdoor living at its best! Enjoy a coffee and watch the sunrise over the amazing open space behind this lovely 2-story home in Rock Creek. Step down from your deck and onto the trail that runs right behind the fence. Even the walk-out basement has a stamped patio and open space views! The basement is finished with a TV area and a large bedroom plus 3/4 bath. The owner was very thoughtful about maximizing storage with closet organizers, benches, and an impeccably neat pantry! And you won't believe the garage - decked out with a ton of Dream Garage cabinets and a ceiling hoist.

The interior boasts an updated kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and a large island perfect for casual dining. The luxury vinyl floors are durable and can take whatever the kids or dogs dish out. Hardwood floors hide beneath them if that's your preference. The water heater, exterior paint and attic fan are newer, all the light fixtures have been replaced, the windows have plantation shutters and bottom-up/top-down blinds and the carpet upstairs has been replaced. 

There are 3 bedrooms upstairs plus a loft that could be converted to another bedroom if needed. With over 2500sqft there's plenty of room for everyone to have their own space or get together for game night! The Boulder Valley schools can't be beat, and the neighborhood amenities include pools, tennis courts, and a skate park. 

The listing price is $689,000. We've had a lot of activity in the past couple of days so if you'd like to see it you'll need to quickly - call/email/text me today!

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@elevatedrealestate.com

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GREAT HOME OR INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY!

Whether you feel like sipping a beverage on a restaurant patio, taking the dog over to the park, shopping after a trip to Starbucks, or taking a dip in the pool and hot tub, Saddlebrooke has it all! These popular units in the BVSD school district get more rental applications than the landlords can handle, so even when you move out they can continue to be a beneficial part of your financial plan.

1665 Egret Way is for sale, boasting wood floors, gas fireplace, stainless steel appliances, balcony with views of the lake, a new water heater and windows, extra parking - the list goes on! 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a 1-car attached garage, plus the HOA maintains everything including the buildings and roofs. The HOA also includes a clubhouse, trash and snow removal, water and sewer.

An Open House is scheduled for Sunday, 10/20, 1-3pm. If you can't make that, contact me and I'm happy to schedule a private showing at your convenience.
  

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@elevatedrealestate.com

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PRICE IMPROVEMENT in Rock Creek

Five bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths, over 6600sqft total - now below market value at $929,900!

Let's start in the foyer. The front door is custom made - the frosted glass inserts open up independently to allow the breeze through the wrought iron latticework. Enter the formal front room next, with soaring ceilings, limestone fireplace mantle and hand-painted mural. The main floor office has two walls of built-ins and provides a productive and beautiful space in which to work. The dining room can accommodate a large table in addition to a hutch and buffet table, and leads you through the butler's pantry into the elegant kitchen. Double oven, gas range, granite counters and tons of cabinets, plus a convenient desk area for devices, or even - what's that stuff called? Oh yeah - mail. 

There is a half bath off of the foyer with marble tile, and the guest bedroom and bath are just down the hall. Step through the laundry room into the 3-car garage with loads of storage. The family room is light and bright and open to the eat-in kitchen, with high ceilings and plenty of windows opening to the backyard. Step out onto the custom deck to enjoy our fantastic Colorado weather. The pergola will keep you dry while you throw some kebabs on the built-in Viking grill. The outdoor kitchen also boasts granite counters and a refrigerator, and the sound from the waterfall feature will lull you into the perfect relaxed state. There's also a pond in the other corner of the yard and more patio space under the deck. 

Upstairs, all four bedrooms have walk-in closets; the master has His and Hers closets with extensive organizers. Make it your retreat - with a jetted tub, radiant heat floors, fireplace in the master suite and foothills views you can pretend you are at a luxurious hotel. The second floor includes a loft area, jack and jill bathroom, built-in shelving and another hand-painted mural to inspire your imagination. So many extras in this house - tankless water heater, solar panels, radon mitigation system, Nest thermostat, speaker system, to name just a few. And there's even room to build equity and add more features if you decide to finish the gigantic basement! 

Call me for a showing and you could be hosting Thanksgiving in your beautiful new home!
  

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@elevatedrealestate.com

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FOR SALE: 635 S Snowmass Circle

You need to see this beautiful 2-story Cascade model in Rock Creek! Five bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths, over 6600sqft total.

Let's start in the foyer. The front door is custom made - the frosted glass inserts open up independently to allow the breeze through the wrought iron latticework. Enter the formal front room next, with soaring ceilings, limestone fireplace mantle and hand-painted mural. The main floor office has two walls of built-ins and provides a productive and beautiful space in which to work. The dining room can accommodate a large table in addition to a hutch and buffet table, and leads you through the butler's pantry into the elegant kitchen. Double oven, gas range, granite counters and tons of cabinets, plus a convenient desk area for devices, or even - what's that stuff called? Oh yeah - mail. 

There is a half bath off of the foyer with marble tile, and the guest bedroom and bath are just down the hall. Step through the laundry room into the 3-car garage with loads of storage. The family room is light and bright and open to the eat-in kitchen, with high ceilings and plenty of windows opening to the backyard. Step out onto the custom deck to enjoy our fantastic Colorado weather. The pergola will keep you dry while you throw some kebabs on the built-in Viking grill. The outdoor kitchen also boasts granite counters and a refrigerator, and the sound from the waterfall feature will lull you into the perfect relaxed state. There's also a pond in the other corner of the yard and more patio space under the deck. 

Upstairs, all four bedrooms have walk-in closets; the master has His and Hers closets with extensive organizers. Make it your retreat - with a jetted tub, radiant heat floors, fireplace in the master suite and foothills views you can pretend you are at a luxurious hotel. The second floor includes a loft area, jack and jill bathroom, built-in shelving and another hand-painted mural to inspire your imagination. So many extras in this house - tankless water heater, solar panels, radon mitigation system, Nest thermostat, speaker system, to name just a few. And there's even room to build equity and add more features if you decide to finish the gigantic basement!

The property is available to tour immediately. I'll be hosting an Open House on Saturday, May 4, 2pm-4pm and Sunday, May 5, 10am-12pm, or call me for a private showing!
  

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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You Want Anchovies on That?

I've never been good at asking for help; it's something I had to learn. When I was in my 20s, I was afraid that people would think I wasn't smart if I asked a question, and I would do just about anything to avoid that flush of embarrassment. My college roommate and I would even argue over who was going to call to order the pizza. I don't know, maybe they'd mention a topping I was unfamiliar with. The thing is, I was so wrapped up in my concerns that it took me a long time to notice that people never did act with anything other than kind assistance.

Nowadays I'll call just about anyone with any question, and bad on them if they treat me poorly for it. There is so much to explore in real estate and related industries like mortgage lending that one can't isolate and survive. I like learning and collaborating, and I've discovered that most people are relieved when you release them from their burden to be perfect by admitting that you're not, either.

I've also discovered that if you make your intentions known to the people around you, they will often help you achieve your goals. For the most part, people want to help. Especially those of us in the service fields - we'd like to feel that years of schooling and training hasn't all been for nothing. 😉

Why am I telling you this? I've been meeting a lot of younger people lately who were interested in buying a home but were hesitant to ask for help. Some, like me, felt pressure to know all of the answers going in. Some were afraid to waste my time when they didn't yet know what they wanted. Some didn't want to get a high-pressure sales pitch from an industry professional. One thing they all had in common was a lack of time.

There is so much information on real estate available these days; it can be overwhelming. Searching thousands of listings, not knowing for sure if what you are looking at is even available any more, perhaps not knowing for sure what you can afford. Reading articles on mortgages and insurance and interest rates, wondering if your resource is credible. Frustrating and time-sucking.

Like so many things in life, you don't have to do it alone. DON'T HESITATE TO CONTACT ME - it's my job and it is really no trouble. I have helped plenty of people who don't plan on moving for a few years still. It's never too early to start gathering information, and I haven't laughed at a question yet. Although I will warn you - my favorite response to, "Can I ask a stupid question?" is "Better than anyone I know!"

BUYERS:

• Get set up on an automatic search directly from the MLS to save you time and spare you inaccurate information.
• Receive monthly real estate email tidbits and links to help you get ready to enter the market.
• Get the name of a lender who can give you an idea of what you can afford in just minutes on the phone, without hassling you further.
• Ask questions about language or resources while you learn about the home buying process.

SELLERS:

• Get set up on an automatic report of properties like yours that are selling in your area.
• Receive an opinion of value so you can decide if selling now will meet your financial goals.
• Get an estimate of costs and fees so you calculate the potential profit from a sale.
• Receive a report from yours truly and a licensed stager listing suggested repairs and improvements to make your property more marketable.
• Request names of service professionals to help you with anything from renovations to window washing - anytime.

The point is, you can't know what you don't know, and I'm happy to help you either dip your toe in the water or fling yourself off of the diving board, belly-flop style. You can even text me and say, "Look, I'm sure you're great at your job and all, but I just want to see the 1 bedroom, 1 bath condos that pop up for the next 5 years, and I don't want to be bothered all the time. If I need you, you'll know."

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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2016 is Your Year

If you’re on the fence between whether or not now is the right time to buy a home, I am here to give you not one, but six solid reasons why buying a home in 2016 is the decision to make. As an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®), I can help you weigh your options and get you into your dream home. I look forward to working with you in the new year!

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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Are You in Your Forever Home?

I sometimes ask this question of clients to give, "someday we'd like to move..." some real thought.  There certainly are times in life when moving just isn't in the cards, but it's also true that, like having a baby, it's almost never an ideal time.  Regardless of what's going on in people's personal lives, the market keeps moving and changing, and it's important to really think through the scenarios.

If you have a home to sell, the current low inventory will offer you an opportunity to get the price you want.  Homes that are well-priced and even moderately updated are going under contract within days.  And while the lack of inventory can affect your replacement home search, interest rates are still historically low and offer maximum purchasing power.  The chart below shows how much your options can be affected by waiting until next year to make a move:

	Purchase Price (with 20% down)	30-Year Fixed Rate	Monthly Principal and Interest	Monthly Cost to Wait	Cost Over Life of Loan
Purchase Now	$450,000	4.5% (4.523% APR)	$1,824
Wait (rates rise)	$450,000	5.125% (5.274% APR)	$1,988	$164/mo	$59,040

Or, looked at another way, if you wanted to keep your monthly payment the same while the interest rate rises, your purchase price would be reduced to only $418,758.  That $30,000 jump can mean significant sacrifices to your wish-list.  It's also going to reduce the buyer pool for the house you are trying to sell.

 

Staufer Team has a great reputation in the Louisville/Superior area, and often our agents have clients who are waiting for the right opportunity before they become serious about their move.  There are several homeowners in Louisville who would sell their home if only they could find another replacement nearby.  If this describes you, please let me know.  Our team may be able to match you up with another seller or buyer just waiting for you!

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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Superior Town Center Update

 

I attended a presentation yesterday given by Superior's Planning Commission Chair, Clint Folsom, and the developer of Superior Town Center, Ranch Capital.  We got a closer look at the proposed plan for the 157 acres at the southeast corner of US-36 and McCaslin Boulevard.

One of the complaints I have heard from clients about Superior is that the town has no downtown area, like Louisville or Boulder.  If it is completed as planned, this central meeting spot will connect the Superior Marketplace with the Rock Creek neighborhoods and address the lack of community interaction the town has struggled with to date.

The plans include commercial, retail, office, residential and recreation space, crowned by an indoor sports complex which will relocate the current Boulder Valley Ice arena and also feature basketball courts, a pool, and soccer fields cross striped for lacrosse.  There will also be additional outdoor courts and fields, as well as paths and bike trails that will connect to the Boulder-Denver bikeway that will run along US-36.

A feature that the developer was very proud of was the flexible zoning that the townhouses will have in the town square.  This will allow an owner to rent the ground level floor to a business while living in the two stories above.  There would also be an opportunity for the owners to condominiumize their building, although this action could affect available financing for purchasers.

If the town gives it's stamp of approval tomorrow, grading work will begin on the site the first week of January.  Check out the Superior Town Center website for more details.

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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New Listings

I serve my clients the best when I am up-to-date on the local inventory, so I go out every Friday morning to look at new listings in addition to whatever properties I may see with clients during the week.  If you'd like to tag along, give me a call.

446 S Cherrywood Drive, Lafayette - $329,900
This 2505sqft home in Autumn Meadows boasts so many upgrades that it includes a separate document to list them all.  On a corner lot, the 2-car garage loads on the side and the private backyard has a deck and patio for enjoying the gardens and large trees.  There are 3 bedrooms and 3 baths, and an unfinished basement with a rough-in for future expansion.

718 Club Circle, Louisville - $359,900
If you want a detached home but prefer someone else handle the landscaping, then a patio home might be a good choice; the trade off is usually a higher HOA fee than a detached home would have.  This ranch is close to the Coal Creek Golf Course and within the Monarch K-8 area, with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, 1412sqft, hardwood floors, fireplace, 5-piece master bath and all appliances included.

1884 Cedaridge Circle, Superior - $439,900
The list of renovations is long - new roof, gutters, air conditioning unit, furnace, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, carpet, light fixtures, faucets, sinks, doorknobs, paint inside and out.  The seller has owned it since 1994, and his Denver mailing address indicates that this 3 bedroom, 3 bath, 2729sqft house was probably a rental for a time and in need of some TLC before going on the market.

425 Andrew Way, Superior - $495,000
With over 4000sqft total, this Rock Creek ranch has a great location with a walkout basement backing to open space.  With high ceilings, skylights, views and plenty of natural light this home will probably appeal to buyers looking for the convenience of being close to shopping and amenities combined with a little elbow room.  It's been on the market a week, and the agent has optimistically set an offer deadline for Friday at 5pm.

118 Crestview Court, Louisville - $639,000
The selling agent calls this property "the best home ever sold in this neighborhood!"  A completely remodeled 2-story with a finished basement in Centennial Heights, the list of improvements includes a gourmet kitchen with cherry cabinets, granite counters, stainless steel appliances and a wine fridge, high-efficiency windows and a new flagstone patio.  A $20,000 earnest money deposit is requested for this 5 bedroom, 4 bath, 3510sqft home.

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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Every Picture Tells a Story

We've all heard the phrase, "a picture is worth a thousand words."  Truly, pictures are a universal language, conveying thoughts and emotions without the need for translation.  They can grab our attention, evoke feelings and even inspire us into action.  If they weren't so powerful and effective, corporations around the globe would never spend so much money on their advertising.

As a Colorado real estate agent, I am bound by the rules of the Real Estate Commission, which state that I am not to disparage my fellow agents.  Even if I did not take an oath of ethical behavior to become a Realtor, I would still abide by these rules.  It's just the right thing to do, not to mention how unbecoming it is to trash-talk your colleagues.  So in the spirit of public education, I will just speak in generalities.

Most folks start their home seaches on the internet these days, utilizing sites like Zillow and Trulia.  The first thing they see are photographs of homes for sale, so it's hugely important that the pictures be good quality - more than good, they should be outstanding.  If that first photograph is poor, often the buyer won't even bother to click on a link to see more pictures.  If they do, and all of the other photographs make the property look dumpy, they won't pursue it.

Unless that worker is stuck in the concrete, perhaps there's a better time to take the picture? Good photographers will take pictures at the best time of day for the direction the home is facing.

I am astounded by the number of horrible photographs I continue to see in listings everyday.  It's more than just a couple - its epidemic.  I often wonder how it is that the sellers don't fire their agents, or at least insist they hire a professional photographer to come back and redo the photos.  When I see underexposed and out-of-focus photographs, when no one bothered to pick up the underwear in the middle of the floor, or when there are no accompanying pictures at all, I know that agent is neglecting his duty to his client. 

Proper exposure and composition can make a room go from depressing to inviting.  Most people's rooms don't look like model homes, but there is still a lot an expert can do to maximize what's there.

Maybe that sounds trivial, but it's not.  A seller can spend thousands of dollars readying her home for the market and paying professionals to get it sold - shouldn't she have confidence that her agent is going to do more than spend 5 minutes taking pictures with his phone?  Listing photos should present the property in its absolute best light.  They should be bright, sharp, well-composed, and make the viewer want to see more.  I think these photos speak for themselves (I know, I know, I went and added captions, anyway)!

Maybe the camera had a BluBlocker lens on?  If you can't get a good perspective like the photo on the right, perhaps it's better to not include one at all!

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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Lock and Leave Lifestyle

A condo or townhouse is an attractive option for some folks.  The ability to turn off the lights, lock the front door and leave for extended periods of time without worrying about property maintenance is ideal for some lifestyles.

A great property with this advantage was put on the market yesterday.  It's a 2 bedroom, 4 bath, 2-story townhouse in The Summit at Rock Creek.  Drive by 2855 Rock Creek Circle #177 and check out the area.  It's Superior location gives the neighborhood some great views, it's down the road from a ton or restaurants and the Flatiron Crossing mall, and the unit itself is just steps away from a park.

Brand new carpeting was just installed throughout

The rooms are large, with two master bedrooms upstairs and over 2600 square feet total.  The walk-out basement is finished, wired for media, with a fenced patio area that already has a deck wired and reinforced for a hot tub.  One of the comments people usually make when they check it out is all of the unexpected storage.  There are several large closets on every floor, including two walk-ins upstairs.  The two-car attached garage has a high ceiling and shelving already installed above the garage door.

Spacious feel with expansive views

One of the issues some people have with an attached dwelling is having people so close that they are looking into your windows.  This particular unit has a great location within the development - it's back deck faces east, at the edge of the neighborhood, with no neighbors behind and city views.  It's also one of the few units with a driveway, which gives it two additional parking spaces.

The seller is meticulous about maintenance, so the unit has been well-cared for.  She is the first and only owner, and was on site every day while it was being built, checking on progress and holding the builder to a high level of service.  The water heater is only a couple of years old with a transferable warranty, and there's already a sump pump and radon-mitigation system installed.  The HOA has a great reputation and takes care of all exterior grounds and building maintenance consistently and responsibly.

If you'd like to get a peek inside the unit for yourself, give me a call, I'd be happy to take you on the tour!

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I would love to help you with your real estate journey. 

Please contact me at 303-917-7143 or robbin@stauferteam.com

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