Louisville, CO

Mesa Village is a hidden jewel located in the northwestern corner of Louisville. Because of its tucked-away location near the Louisville Reservoir and expanses of open space, few in Louisville know about this neighborhood. However, those that live there never want to leave! Since 2005, there have only been 8 sales (out of a total 24 units). Homes in Mesa Village are unique and architecturally interesting, blurring the line between a traditional detached home and town home. The best description of these homes is a series of duplexes, as each home shares one wall with its neighbor. I like these homes in particular because they have a smaller impact on the land because of their density, while still having large square footage. Each house has a 2-car garage and a private backyard. Another highlight of the neighborhood is the fact that no one has a neighbor backing up to their lot - each home either backs to open space or playing fields. Best of all, though, this neighborhood has trails and views right in the backyard, and easy access to downtown Louisville, downtown Boulder, and highway 36.

There were two sales in Mesa Village in 2009, with an average sales price of $330,000.

Let me know if you’d like more information about living in Mesa Village or elsewhere in Boulder County. Also, give me a shout out if you’d like to see your neighborhood featured in my blog!

Thanks for reading!

Now that 2009 has drawn to a close, we're seeing numerous reports on how the local real estate market has fared compared to 2008. We've crunched the numbers here at Mock Realty, and the news is that Louisville could have fared a lot worse, fortunately. In fact, one area of the market, attached dwellings (such as condos and townhomes) actually saw an increase in the number of properties sold, although there was a slight drop in sales price. Here are the numbers:

Residential Properties

In 2008, there were 206 sales, with a median sales price of $335,000. 2009 had nearly identical numbers, with 203 sales having the same median price of $335,000.

Attached Dwellings

In 2008, there were 57 sales, with a median price of $212,000. In 2009, the number of sales increased 17% to 69 total sales, but there was a 2% decrease in the median sales price.

I think these numbers reinforce the solid nature of the Louisville real estate market. It remains a desirable place to live, with consistent sales numbers despite the difficulties in the national real estate market. Here's hoping for healthy growth in the market for 2010!

For a town of its relatively small size, Louisville offers a myriad of programs for families and youth. One of these programs is "Nite at the Rec." The rec center opens its doors on various Friday evenings with themed nights for kids in the 3rd through 7th grades (if I were still a kid, I might not find "Superhero Nite" [1/22] my cup of tea, but I might reconsider for "Hawaiian Nite" [4/16]!). Nite at the Rec lasts from 7:00 to 10:30, costs $10 (way cheaper than a babysitter!) and involves sports tournaments, swimming, DJ music, and other pre-teen fun.

Moms and Dads - sounds like the perfect opportunity to plan some date nights!

For more info, visit

http://louisvilleco.gov/Portals/0/Misc/2010misc/niteatrec2010spring.pdf

Awesome home in Saddle Ridge Pool Community! Vaulted ceilings, open floor plan, backs to open space with nearly 180 degree views from the Flatirons West to DIA East. Expansive kitchen, formal dining room. 3 Minute walk to Coal Creek Elementary, hiking trails and Harper Lake. 1580 sq. foot walkout basement (unfinished). Professional landscaping with ponds and waterfalls. Beautiful views from Kitchen/Living room and upper level Master Bedroom. Main Level office/study.

Subdivision: SADDLEBACK 2
Property Type: Single Family
Year Built: 1990
HOA Fee: $600 - Annually
Lot Size: 6,542
County: Boulder
Zoning: RES
Property Tax: $2,998
2998.24 Tax Year: 2009

Total Square Feet: 4,160
Finished Square Feet: 2,586
Upper Level Square Feet: 992
Main Level Square Feet: 1,588
Basement Square Feet: 1,580

Car Spaces: 2
Garage Type: Attached

Beds: 3
Baths: 3
Full Baths: 2
1/2 Baths: 1
Rough Baths: 1

Listing broker representing seller: RE/MAX Alliance-Lsvl
MLS Listing Source: IRES

Master Bedroom: 15x21
Bedroom 2: 10x11
Bedroom 3: 10x11
Kitchen: 12x15
Dining Room: 11x14
Family Room: 14x19
Living Room: 13x19
Laundry Room: 6x8
Den: 10x13

Inclusions: Electric Range/Oven,Dishwasher,Clothes Dryer,Microwave,Garage Door Opener,Refrigerator,Clothes Washer,Disposal,Smoke Alarm(s)

Design Features:Wood Floors,Wood Windows,Walk-in Closet,Washer/Dryer Hookups,Pantry,Separate Dining Room,Stain/Natural Trim,Loft,Open Floor Plan,Cathedral/Vaulted Ceilings,Eat-in Kitchen

Outdoor Features:Deck,Lawn Sprinkler System
Laundry Location: Main

Elementary School: Coal Creek
Middle School: Louisville
High School: Monarch
School District: BLDR VALLEY DIST RE2

HOA Fee Includes: Common Amenities
Common Amenities: Pool
HOA Fee: $600
HOA Fee Frequency: Annually

Construction: Wood/Frame
Basement Foundation: Unfinished Basement
Cooling: Whole House Fan
Heating: Forced Air

Directions: FROM MCCASLIN AND S. BOULDER RD, S. ON WASHINGTON, E. ON HICKORY

Listing Status: Active
MLS#: 617080

REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE

An Information Service of RE/MAX Alliance/Boulder Valley

January/2010

In a rising or declining real estate market there is always a point where the market plateaus and then begins to move in the opposite direction. The Boulder County real estate market has been on a downward path since 2005 when there were 6,390 single family and attached units sold. That was the peak. Over the course of the past four years the local real estate market has experienced a noticeable reduction in sales. The last few months of 2009 saw a slight up tick in sales activity as compared to a similar timeframe for 2008; which is a good indication the market has bottomed out.

2010 may be the “Perfect Storm” as it relates to the Boulder County real estate market. There are several elements in play that create an excellent opportunity for home buyers to purchase and home sellers to sell.

• First, is the expanded Home Buyer Tax Credit Program, which covers all potential home buyers. $8,000 for anyone who hasn’t owned a home during the three years prior to the purchase. $6,500 or 10% of the sale price, whichever is less, for current homeowners. The property has to be under contract by April 30, 2010 and must close by July 1, 2010. There is an $800,000 limitation on the cost of the home.

• Second, home mortgage interest rates continue to be attractive, with the traditional thirty-year fixed rate mortgage in the five (5) percent range. There is speculation that mortgage rates will trend upward as the Third, is the downward pressure the market has experienced in home values over the past few years. We are already seeing the lower end of the market beginning to show signs of appreciation as more first-time homebuyers and investors enter the market. Hopefully, this increase in home values will begin to work its way up into higher priced properties.

Below is an overview of sales activity for the past two years for single family homes in the various Boulder Valley areas, courtesy of IRES – the Northern Colorado MLS.

2008 2009 % 2008 2009 %

Area Solds Solds Change Average Price Average Price Change

Boulder 747 563 -24.64% $655,378 $647,584 -1.19%

Louisville 203 202 N/C $391,306 $394,214 +0.74%

Lafayette 252 219 -13.10% $355,934 $352,667 -0.92%

Superior 120 127 +5.83% $437,818 $413,935 -5.46%

Longmont 1018 891 -12.48% $252,400 $240,902 -4.56%

Sub. Plains 443 373 -15.80% $526,399 $510,351 -3.05%

Sub. Mtns. 262 203 -22.52% $435,110 $415,567 -4.50%

Broomfield 348 353 +1.42% $396,371 $353,343 -10.86%

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Totals … 3393 2931 -13.62% $428,326 $405,363 -5.36%