Cam Boyd Blog

It was a great weekend to be in Steamboat Colorado.  Saturday was beautiful and with the snow on the top of the mountain and the sunny skies, it was tough to figure out whether to go skiing on the pass, or get a bike ride in.  I opted for the bike ride with my buddy Hans and about 15 miles from town I broke my chain on a quiet country road.  I thought I was stranded as neither one of us had a chain tool, but as happens in Steamboat, the two riders that came upon us, Paul and Eric, were bike mechanics.  Paul who works at Erickson Cycles and Orange Peel ignored my pleas to do the dirty work and had it fixed so quick it made me feel like rider in the Tour de France. 

Halloween was a blast as usual with Main Street closed and families out in full regal.  Some great costumes and lots of friends with their kids out Trick or Treating.

There was a great article in the Sunday Steamboat Pilot about vacant lots starting to sell in the steamboat real estate market.  That has been the worst category for property sales over the past 2 years.  I can feel the momentum starting to swing and some of my well respected aquaintances are beginning to pick up properties for investment.

Happy Halloween! Or almost. We're soaking in a little sun today in Steamboat after 2 days of being pounded by Winter's first storm. Don't think we didn't love it. Despite the fact that it may easily melt off by next week, it was still a great reminder to us to finish up all our home projects, put away our sandles, and pull out our ski boots and gloves! It's almost time for winter play!

This weekend the entire town is going to be playing. Halloween in Steamboat is certainly not just a time for kids. Here's what we have going on.

Welcome the snow by going to see the Warren Miller movie! It shows at the Steamboat Grand on Friday at 7:30pm, Saurday at 6 pm, and Saturday at 9pm. Bring in the snow!

As for Halloween, I'm expecting to see quite a few Avatars running around. With Avatar being such a hit and coming out with 2 sequels, we can only expect to see some blue, tiger-like humans crouching around the corners of Downtown Steamboat. All I can say is I hope if this costume is popular they figure out how to stay warm!

To start the celebration early and get your minds running about what it may have been like to live in Steamboat decades ago, the Tread of Pioneer Museum will be hosting a tour of the historic Crawford House... TONIGHT at 6:30! Get your thrills and chills mixed with your history of Steamboat.. and maybe see a real Crawford ghost... Call 970-879-2214 for more information.

To celebrate Halloween for the younger goblins and ghosts, Steamboat be putting on the Halloween Stroll Sunday evening in town from 5-7. If that sounds too chilly for small fingers and toes, join the Colorado Mountain College Residence Hall Association TONIGHT, Thursday, from 6-8pm for the indoor trick-or-treat festival the "Enchanted Castle."

The Powder Room is also setting up a little scare thrill behind Safeway. You've probably seen it driving by, and were wondering what was going on. The "Haunted Forest", complete with scary zombies and ghouls costs $10 tonight and $13 bucks Friday through Sunday. I haven't been, but this sounds like it could be super fun. I heard a rumor that they have photographers taking pictures.. I'll be sure to bring someone by who thinks they "can't be scared", then proceed to watch them scream, and then produce a photo of it later for a little leverage.

Friday you can attend the Screamboat Chamber of Horror at the Colorado Mountain College's Monson Hall, 6-10. I've been before, and trust me, it's scary enough that I'm not telling you if the small child I was with was holding my hand or if I was holding theirs. That secret is going to the Halloween Graves. If you like haunted houses, check this one out.

I'm a little bit of a nature freak, so I'm excited about this next event. On Sunday, Rob Mies will be showing LIVE bats. At the Library downtown I believe. No caving experience necessary.

I hope everyone has a fun, safe Halloween! Try not to eat too much of that candy, you're supposed to be handing it out to the kids!

Play the drums, throw the confetti... I joined facebook! It's about time you say? Well I agree. I've come to realize that Facebook may be a great way for us to stay in contact, without the harassment that some folks feel from email. I'll try to post the fun things happening in Steamboat, great deals on Steamboat real estate, and any interesting tidbits locals (or wanna be locals) might need to know. You might even get some fun information on me. Add my page to your facebook! Simply Click the like button below, and we'll officially be 'friends.'

Wow! It is truly amazing what types of homes exist out there! Unique Homes sent me this article in their newsletter, which I thought I would share with you. To see the original version, visit UniqueHomes.com:  

Enjoy!

From UniqueHomes.com

A Home Worth $1 Billion

By Kathleen Carlin-Russell
Editor in Chief

I feel as if I need to channel Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers movies a bit when I utter the price of the home that has been built in India. Many of you may have heard about it since it hit the news a few years ago, when it was designated as the world’s first billion-dollar home. As of this week, that claim to fame is now a reality as the home is apparently completed and ready to welcome its owner, one of the richest men in the world, Mukesh Ambani. 



Ambani is the chairman of Reliance Industries, India’s largest private sector company. His personal wealth is estimated at about $29 billion and Forbes named him the fourth richest man in the world in 2010.

 



A look back in time shows that the home seems to have all the features noted in the original plans. Soaring 27 stories and 570 feet high, it towers over much of its surroundings, with glass walls taking full advantage of its stunning position in the center of downtown Mumbai, with views stretching to the Arabian Sea. Six garage levels sit below the residence, providing garage space for approximately 160 cars. No doubt Ambani, his wife and three children, plus the 600 staff members reportedly hired for this building/residence will have no problems with parking…or perhaps Mr. Ambani can fill those spots on his own? Some published reports say there is a full-service auto maintenance center that comprises one floor of the tower.



While there is some question as to exactly how much the home is worth (which seems to be anywhere between $1 billion and $2 billion, according to many analysts), there seems to be little question as to the level of amenities this mansion in the sky affords. Named Antilia, after a legendary island in the Atlantic Ocean, this palatial building took seven years to complete and begins with the home’s lavish “lobby,” offering nine elevators. The home’s reported 37,000 square feet include such features as a two-story health club, a 50-seat theater, a ballroom and a four-story hanging garden. Other highlights include multiple safe rooms, a dance studio, a swimming pool and the three heli-pads on the roof.



What more can one say?



At Unique Homes, we haven’t advertised any billion-dollar homes in 2010. But we did have one for $100 million (Tranquility in Lake Tahoe, Nev.). In fact, we’re sorting through all of our 2010 issues this week, looking for our favorite homes. That’s because 2011 is our 40th anniversary, and we’re picking 40 listings as our Homes of the Year. We’ll feature them in our next issue; together, they may total about a half of a billion dollars. Perhaps not good enough for Ambani. But we think you’ll enjoy them nonetheless.

from Yahoo.com

by Jean Folger
Sunday, October 3, 2010provided by

Every homeowner must pay for routine home maintenance, such as replacing worn-out plumbing components or staining the deck, but some choose to make improvements with the intention of increasing the home's value. Certain projects, such as adding a well thought-out family room -- or other functional space -- can be a wise investment, as they do add to the value of the home. Other projects, however, allow little opportunity to recover the costs when it's time to sell.

Even though the current homeowner may greatly appreciate the improvement, a buyer could be unimpressed and unwilling to factor the upgrade into the purchase price. Homeowners, therefore, need to be careful with how they choose to spend their money if they are expecting the investment to pay off. Here are six things you think add value to your home, but really don't:

1. Swimming Pools
Swimming pools are one of those things that may be nice to enjoy at your friend's or neighbor's house, but that can be a hassle to have at your own home. Many potential homebuyers view swimming pools as dangerous, expensive to maintain and a lawsuit waiting to happen. Families with young children in particular may turn down an otherwise perfect house because of the pool (and the fear of a child going in the pool unsupervised). In fact, a would-be buyer's offer may be contingent on the home seller dismantling an above-ground pool or filling in an in-ground pool.

An in-ground pool costs anywhere from $10,000 to more than $100,000, and additional yearly maintenance expenses need to be considered. That's a significant amount of money that might never be recouped if and when the house is sold.

2. Overbuilding for the Neighborhood
Homeowners may, in an attempt to increase the value of a home, make improvements to the property that unintentionally make the home fall outside of the norm for the neighborhood. While a large, expensive remodel, such as adding a second story with two bedrooms and a full bath, might make the home more appealing, it will not add significantly to the resale value if the house is in the midst of a neighborhood of small, one-story homes. (Overbuilding might be anticipating your neighborhood's next move.)

In general, homebuyers do not want to pay $250,000 for a house that sits in a neighborhood with an average sales price of $150,000; the house will seem overpriced even if it is more desirable than the surrounding properties. The buyer will instead look to spend the $250,000 in a $250,000 neighborhood. The house might be beautiful, but any money spent on overbuilding might be difficult to recover unless the other homes in the neighborhood follow suit.

3. Extensive Landscaping
Homebuyers may appreciate well-maintained or mature landscaping, but don't expect the home's value to increase because of it. A beautiful yard may encourage potential buyers to take a closer look at the property, but will probably not add to the selling price. If a buyer is unable or unwilling to put in the effort to maintain a garden, it will quickly become an eyesore, or the new homeowner might need to pay a qualified gardener to take charge. Either way, many buyers view elaborate landscaping as a burden (even though it might be attractive) and, as a result, are not likely to consider it when placing value on the home.

4. High-End Upgrades
Putting stainless steel appliances in your kitchen or imported tiles in your entryway may do little to increase the value of your home if the bathrooms are still vinyl-floored and the shag carpeting in the bedrooms is leftover from the '60s. Upgrades should be consistent to maintain a similar style and quality throughout the home. A home that has a beautifully remodeled and modern kitchen can be viewed as a work in project if the bathrooms remain functionally obsolete. The remodel, therefore, might not fetch as high a return as if the rest of the home were brought up to the same level. High-quality upgrades generally increase the value of high-end homes, but not necessarily mid-range houses where the upgrade may be inconsistent with the rest of the home.

In addition, specific high-end features such as media rooms with specialized audio, visual or gaming equipment may be appealing to a few prospective buyers, but many potential homebuyers would not consider paying more for the home simply because of this additional feature. Chances are that the room would be re-tasked to a more generic living space.

5. Wall-to-Wall Carpeting
While real estate listings may still boast "new carpeting throughout" as a selling point, potential homebuyers today may cringe at the idea of having wall-to-wall carpeting. Carpeting is expensive to purchase and install. In addition, there is growing concern over the healthfulness of carpeting due to the amount of chemicals used in its processing and the potential for allergens (a serious concern for families with children). Add to that the probability that the carpet style and color that you thought was absolutely perfect might not be what someone else had in mind.

Because of these hurdles, wall-to-wall carpet is something on which it's difficult to recoup the costs. Removing carpeting and restoring wood floors is usually a more profitable investment.

6. Invisible Improvements
Invisible improvements are those costly projects that you know make your house a better place to live in, but that nobody else would notice -- or likely care about. A new plumbing system or HVAC unit (heating, venting and air conditioning) might be necessary, but don't expect it to recover these costs when it comes time to sell. Many homebuyers simply expect these systems to be in good working order and will not pay extra just because you recently installed a new heater. It may be better to think of these improvements in terms of regular maintenance, and not an investment in your home's value.

The Bottom Line
It is difficult to imagine spending thousands of dollars on a home-improvement project that will not be reflected in the home's value when it comes time to sell. There is no simple equation for determining which projects will garner the highest return, or the most bang for your buck. Some of this depends on the local market and even the age and style of the house. Homeowners frequently must choose between an improvement that they would really love to have (the in-ground swimming pool) and one that would prove to be a better investment. A bit of research, or the advice of a qualified real estate professional, can help homeowners avoid costly projects that don't really add value to a home.

We learned some great tips thanks to "Realtor" magazine this weekend about what buyers are looking for when they start their home search. Kitchens carry some weight when it comes down to comparing and contrasting homes, and over the years, buyers are changing their views about what a kitchen should have.

If we think back to our grandparent's kitchens, many of us might remember secluded rooms with swinging doors much like those seen from "The Cosby Show." Don't get us wrong, there was plenty of action that happened in the Cosby kitchen, but it was a completely separate part of the home and was divided from the bustle of Sunday night football games in the living room or from the kids coming through the front door. In these home plans, the chef remains the "behind the scenes manager" that always makes sure everything comes out beautifully golden and tasty, but is never seen doing it. Today buyers want the kitchen to be a more central piece to the home.

Over the years, kitchen plans have changed. Since the days of the secluded kitchens, we've since seen the addition of open-air windows accompanied by bar seating that usually connects the kitchen to the dining room; giving the chef some chat time during meal preparations. Windows are not the last change kitchens have seen, as according to "Realtor," buyers today push for comfy kitchens, fewer cabinets, and open floor plans.  

Realtor," stated that the kitchen today is no longer just for cooking, but rather is used as a gathering place, a work space, and an open area to pursue craft projects or to entertain. Buyers are looking for kitchens that are mulit-funtional and open. Today, kitchen's offer a place for kids to do homework so a parent can offer advice while still being able to cook dinner, or a place for a ladies' night gathering.

Don't panic if your listing doesn't have the open floor plan that is today's fashion for a great kitchen: "Realtor" prepared some advice to make your listing shine to the best of it's potential. Here is the advice straight from the guys who know how to best fix your kitchen up. Enjoy.

Excerpt from "Realtor" Magazine, "Buyers Want Cozy, Connected Kitchens." By Melissa Dittmann Tracey.

1. Install a kitchen island. Kitchen islands not only have functional benefits but also provide space for entertaining, informal dining, and extra storage. If your listing doesn't have one, consider a portable island, which can range from a butcher block to a breakfast table with bar stools. "Just make sure that the style you choose is consistent with your existing decor in the kitchen and the size is appropriate," says Ashley Whittenberger, founder and owner of Interiority Complex, a Texas-based staging and design company. She recommends at least 3 feet between the island and walls so there's plenty of space to move around. If the kitchen island is large, add chairs to show it can serve as an extra gathering place.

2. Look for comfy chairs.Skip the typical wooden stools for an upholstered bar stool with a back, recommends Whittenberger. Switch out traditional chairs around the kitchen table for wing chairs, a love seat, or even an upholstered bench.

3. Soften the light.Use accent lights and sconces, usually associated with a hallway or den," says Susan Serra, a home designer in Huntington, N.Y., who specializes in kitchens. Numerous small lamps also will create a softer effect. Whittenberger suggests hanging a chandelier or light fixture over the kitchen island.

4. Add storage. Buyers are always drawn to extra storage. Add a standalone cabinet, cupboard, buffet, or wall shelving. Stage cabinets with craft supplies to show that the space can serve many purposes.

5. Display quality pieces.Take the artwork you may have once reserved for the living room and display it in the kitchen. Accessorize shelves with collectibles or books.

6. Make sure the basics are strong. "If the bones of the kitchen aren't strong, fix those first," Whittenberger says. "The condition of countertops, hardware, flooring, appliances, and cabinets aren't going to be covered up by creating a cozy atmosphere."

This weekend the Yampa Valley provided us with a spectacular weekend of downright gorgeous fall colors and temperatures that beg us not to forget how warm and kind our summers can be. Fall sweaters that were pulled out last week during those few rainy days were again stashed; Saturday and Sunday were used to soak up what could be some of the last warm days of the season with short-sleeves, shorts, and sunglasses!

While we scramble to enjoy the last days of warm weather and soak up a full color pallet with the changing leaves, don't forget to prepare your home for next summer with Deb Babcock's helpful gardening tips. Tuck your garden in for a long winter nap so it will awaken in the spring full of energy!

From the Steamboat Pilot:

Deb Babcock: Plants need moisture to survive winter

Even though our gardens seem to be going into hibernation for the coming winter, they still may need watering before the snow covers them. Several factors determine how much, if any, water gardeners should give their plants in fall.

These factors include:

■ How much wind a garden gets

■ How hot the weather is

■ How exposed the garden is

■ How well the soil retains moisture

■ The garden’s contours

■ The age of a garden and its plants

■ The type and amount of mulch used

Wind and heat are particularly hard on garden plants, trees and shrubs because the moisture that comes from rain or from watering evaporates quickly. This especially is true in gardens with south or west exposures that receive more hours of the most intense sun here in the mountains.

If garden soil hasn’t been improved with compost or other organic materials, it probably doesn’t hold water as well as amended soil. Any water a garden gets will be held in like a sponge if organic materials are mixed into it. If it’s primarily sandy, clay or rocky with lots of shale, the water tends to just run off or go through the soil where it cannot be used by plants.

Fall is a great time to add compost to garden soil. Even just a top layer of a couple inches or so will help retain moisture as well as slowly release nutrients. Better yet, mix it in to a depth of 12 inches, if possible.

In a sloping garden, the water tends to run quickly downhill, leaving plants at the top of the slope with little water while drenching those plants at the bottom. Terracing slopes or planting grasses or other xeric plants can make the need for watering much lower.

Once plants have become established in a garden — generally after two seasons — they need less water than newly planted trees, shrubs and plants. Even if plants are rated as xeric or drought-tolerant, they still need to become established before it’s prudent to cut back on watering.

Finally, mulching a garden helps the soil retain moisture. To prevent evaporation from wind and heat and our dry climate here, add 1 to 2 inches of mulch.

This also helps keep down weeds. The mulch can cover the crown of perennials but should be kept a couple of inches away from the base of trees, so as to avoid small animals making a nest there and harming the tree by eating the bark.

Plants, trees and shrubs should go into winter with some moisture — not drenched — in the soil at their roots. Use these factors to determine whether they need a little more watering before the snow covers the ground.

At this time of year, watering is best done in the morning to allow the water to reach the plant roots before freezing night temperatures.

Never water plants when the weather is freezing or the ground already is frozen.

Making sure plants go into winter with adequate moisture at their roots heightens the chances they will make it through our harsh winters in fine shape, for a healthy, vibrant garden in the spring.

Deb Babcock is a master gardener through the Routt County Cooperative Extension Office. Call 970-879-0825 with questions.

From the Steamboat Pilot:

Our View: Chief plan shows promise

Steamboat Springs — The future of the Chief Plaza Theater is starting to take on a solid form.

On Friday, the Friends of the Chief group announced that it placed the downtown Steamboat Springs movie theater under a purchase contract with plans to make it a performing arts venue. The terms were withheld, but the purchase and renovation cost has been estimated at close to $9 million.

Many details about the financing have yet to be negotiated, but early plans indicate that the Chief Cultural Center for the Performing Arts would be a cultural venue that would seat as many as 470 people. Although we acknowledge concerns that the Chief stage wouldn’t be large enough to suit major dramatic productions, we’re excited about the variety of entertainment it could house, and we hope it’s an inclusive venue that can serve many audiences.

Also, such a venue presents a unique opportunity to draw people downtown to attend shows, as well as shop and dine. We don’t want to discount the contribution the movie theater makes in this regard, but a performing arts center with ever-changing offerings would add a different kind of vibrancy and possibly draw a larger group of patrons.

But as the Friends of the Chief makes plans, we want to make sure the group has plenty of time to answer questions central to making this venue a success. Any changes would be years away: Carmike Cinemas, which operates the movie theater, has a lease that’s valid into 2012.

That leaves plenty of time for the discussion of issues and creation of a program to make the theater self-sustaining.

It’s essential for the group to look at return on investment and make sure the venue has an aggressive booking agent who can court attractive acts that draw people in, particularly during the busy summer and winter tourism seasons. There are plenty of examples in other Colorado towns — Aspen’s Wheeler Opera House comes to mind — the group could turn to for guidance.

We’re encouraged that Friends of the Chief already has installed expertise with members such as development heavyweight Jim Cook, Mainstreet Steamboat Springs Manager Tracy Barnett, Towny Anderson of Historic Routt County and other sharp local minds. It’s been a truly grass-roots effort, started by locals who recognize the value of investing in the community.

The group has a Friends of the Chief fund set up through the Yampa Valley Community Foundation, through which those who would like to can donate, and is working on getting nonprofit status, Anderson said. It continued its momentum from last week by meeting Tuesday to discuss fundraising, volunteers and structuring committees.

Two months ago, on June 27, we hailed the efforts of the Friends of the Chief as “a refreshing example of community interests uniting for a cause that could benefit the entire city.” In the brief period since, the group has made impressive progress. We hope it continues, and we look forward to seeing downtown thrive with a successful business plan for the Chief Cultural Center for the Performing Arts that provides dynamic, year-round programming that benefits everyone.