Longmont has shown a lot of love for Boulder Creek Neighborhoods’ impeccably sized, low-maintenance wee-Cottages. Home buyers snapped up the ranch-style floor plans at Blue Vista in Longmont as quickly as they could be released. (The Blue Vista community is now in sell-out stages, with only four homes (and no ranches) remaining at press time.) Now the award-winning lifestyle builder is introducing new ranch and two-story cottage townhomes to Denio West in Longmont. The new homes are breaking ground in September, and with just fifteen available, the homes are expected to sell out rapidly.
Listening to homebuyer feedback
The Cottage Townhomes are a direct result of buyer feedback on both the Denio West townhomes and the Blue Vista wee-Cottages. Denio West Sales Manager Micah Davidson said, “I had Realtors who would call (Blue Vista) every week to learn when the next ranch-style wee-Cottage will be released. People love the smaller, easier-to-take-care-of home, and main floor living is a huge draw.”
“While we couldn’t exactly replicate the wee-Cottages at Denio West,” Davidson continued, “we got as close as we could, while still working within the specifics of the site.” Boulder Creek has already built 39 easyHouse patio homes (the final patio home is available now for quick move in) and 25 yourHouse townhomes at Denio West. Though the builder had initially planned to build more townhomes on the site, the feedback was clear – buyers were seeking a smaller size, a lower price and more main floor living. “We were able to pivot quickly, creating a ‘cottage townhome’ design to meet the needs we were hearing from our buyers,” said Davidson.
These homes are unique – the living spaces are completely separate, but they are technically townhomes, as they are connected at the oversized garages. “Davidson noted, “These will be classified as townhomes, but they will live like single-family homes, and this is something I am so excited about. The reason we are doing oversized garages is because the homes will be connected by the garage – and the garage only. No living space in these homes will have a shared wall with the neighbor.” Davidson said. “ I see this as a great place for both young active couples and the empty nester looking to downsize from their larger more expensive home so they can enjoy their life more.” Indeed, Denio West will offer both a two-story floor plan, and a ranch-style design featuring two bedrooms in around 1,150 square feet.
Combine the smaller layouts with the lower-maintenance lifestyle Boulder Creek is known for, and it’s no wonder the interest list for these cottage townhomes at Denio West is already over 100 people.
Lower-maintenance, big living in a smaller sized home
Barbara Roach appreciates the low-maintenance, new construction of her ranch-style wee-Cottage. She moved from her sprawling, energy-intense home in Kansas into a Blue Vista wee-Cottage in May to be near her daughter and crucially, to minimize the time and effort needed to care for a home. “I know what the winters here are like and would have paid almost any amount to not have to worry about snow,” she said. “After my husband passed, I determined what I needed in a house, and it wasn’t a huge space. I wanted quality craftsmanship, and I didn’t want to do yard work. Boulder Creek more than met those wants.”
Roach and her late husband, a child psychiatrist, together remodeled and refurbished several homes, both for themselves and to sell, so Roach has a particular eye for a quality build. “I looked at other homes in the area, but there was always a lot that needed to be fixed up or things I would have to change. I have been very, very pleased with the Boulder Creek craftsmanship, and everything has gone so well,” she said. “It’s been wonderful to come back to the mountains too,” added Roach, who was raised in Montana but graduated from college and settled in Kansas for several decades.
The environmentally friendly, “just-right size” home was “just what I wanted,” Roach concluded. The smaller house footprint, efficient build and top-rated Energy Star appliances, moreover, are easy on the wallet, and since the home is new construction with a laser-like focus on quality, even interior maintenance is minimal.
The ranch-style wee-Cottage that Roach found to be the right fit for her move to Colorado is modeled at Blue Vista, and will be one of the two floor plans featured at Denio West.
Low-maintenance lifestyle creates more time for hobbies, family
Boulder Creek Neighborhoods’ commitment to a lower-maintenance lifestyle gives Roach plenty of time to pursue her hobbies, starting with her art. She bikes frequently and walks daily with her new puppy, Charlie. She also knits “doggie coats” for her daughter’s local and online business, Hounds and Soul. “I’ve always been close with my daughter, who lives here, in heart, but after years of helping out my other daughter in Ohio with her children and grandchildren, it was her turn,” she said.
Roach, an artist, recently finished a mosaic to install behind her oven, and she’s devoted her extra bedroom and part of her garage to art supplies and projects. She brought many of her paintings to her new home – so many that she’s even mounted some favorites in the spacious garage.
“I love to decorate and design,” she said. “That’s what I did when working on homes with my husband, and for this home, I enjoyed selecting finishes, flooring, lighting fixtures and more with my daughter’s help.” She opted for vinyl plank flooring through the great room and kitchen, where she said, “There’s so much storage that I don’t think I have the cabinets even half filled.” With a laugh, she continued, “The closets are wonderful, the best I’ve ever had, and I’m so happy with the yard.”
While Roach relocated amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, she said, “The construction guys and sales team were incredible and gave me updates every part of the way.” She loved the experience so much that she still catches up with her new Boulder Creek friends and is planning a party at her home to thank them, “but sadly, it’ll have to wait,” she said.
An efficient solution
For Davidson, his only regret is that Boulder Creek Neighborhoods can’t offer more of the cottage townhomes at Denio West due to lot constraints. He explained, “Longmont, and even more so Boulder County, has a huge lack in affordability. Part of the appeal of these cottages is the diversity – they are just not like other new homes available today.” Davidson continues, “We do not want people’s only option for a small ranch to be a 50-plus-year-old home that needs a ton of work, whether that is a remodel or tons of landscaping work. We want people to be able to buy a low-maintenance, energy efficient home without having to worry about an endless stream of fixer-upper projects. Just move in and relax.”
“Move in and relax” at Denio West, sales expected to launch on Saturday, September 12 (by appointment only). Begin by joining the interest list at LiveDenioWest.com, or schedule a time to visit to the wee-Cottage model homes at Blue Vista at 1130 Hummingbird Circle. Contact the Boulder Creek Concierge team at 720.548.2820 or e-mail [email protected]. Pricing is not yet released, but homes are expected to start in the mid to high $300s, depending on the floor plan.
By Sarah Huber, At Home Colorado.
