<![CDATA[Fort Collins Real Estate Agent | Colorado Real Estate Pros - Blog]]>Fri, 16 Aug 2024 06:53:38 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Fort Collins Real Estate News for February 2024]]>Fri, 23 Feb 2024 23:03:49 GMThttps://www.coloradorepros.com/blog/fort-collins-real-estate-news-for-february-2024

Recently Closed

5530 Fleur De Lis Lane, Timnath, CO 80547
Beautiful Tabor 2-story in Timnath Lakes. 3 beds, 2.5 baths, great room, kitchen, unfinished basement and a 2 car garage. Beautiful upgrades and finishes including a large kitchen island, stainless steel appliances, luxury vinyl plank flooring and more. Lennar seamlessly blended & showcased the unparalleled beauty of Colorado with the most innovative homes, energy efficient technologies & modern conveniences, bringing the best of both worlds together.

For Sale

8124 S Timberline Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80525 - $1,995,000
Find your piece of the country living near the heart city. This property has 6+acres available nestled between Fort Collins and Loveland. Bring your horses and animals, enjoy the mature landscape, barn, pasture, and epic views of the mountains and country. The property includes fully-insulated and heated shops as well as a barn with loft, 4 stalls, a tack room, heated waterers, and a small sink with hot water heater. All buildings are permitted.

The interior has newer windows, paint, reclaimed wood accents, and luxury upgrades throughout. Come see this amazing country retreat!

1047 N Lincoln Loveland, CO 80537 - $490,000
High visibility office centrally located between downtown Loveland and US-34. Hardwood floors and trim create a professionally functional work space. Fluid layout with spacious reception/waiting room and 11 offices/exam rooms(several with plumbing) make for a multitude of options and uses for the space. Formerly, a longtime chiropractic office with ideal layout for medical or professional office uses. Currently used as an appraisal office. Includes 12 additional deeded parking spaces(see attachments).

3224 W Eisenhower Loveland, CO 80537 - $299,999
Unlock the potential of your dream living situation or business in this non-conforming duplex. Located in a desirable location on the west side of Loveland near the base of the big Thompson canyon. Zone T so you can bring a small business to one side and live in the other. Each side is separated by a door and has a kitchen, full bathroom, bed room, and living room, so it's ideal for a private roommate situation or family member. On one side, there is an enclosed sun room. This fixer upper needs a little TLC to become you dream business or perfect living situation. The property is being sold as is.

Business of the Month: Choice City Butcher

Choice City Butcher is a family-owned and operated butcher shop and restaurant located in Downtown Fort Collins. They have been a favorite food destination in Old Town for 20+ years for locals and out-of-town visitors alike. They offer a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner options including the best cuts of meat for steak, burgers, and more.

What’s more, is that Choice City Butcher is a proud partner and community member contributing positively to Fort Collins. If you haven’t stopped in, be sure to go get yourself a great meal and meet the staff! You can look up menu options online at: https://choicecitybutcher.com/

Birria Tacos Recipe

Birria Tacos are melt-in-your-mouth delicious tacos hailing from Mexico, that combine braised meat with cilantro and white onion. There’s no better way to prepare an easy family meal than this Birria Tacos Recipe from A Cozy Kitchen!

Ingredients

Dried chiles and/or peppers – This recipe calls for guajillo, ancho and chiles de arbol. I love dried chiles. They are so delicious and rich in flavor. I recommend using kitchen shears to trim the edges and discard the seeds. Of course, you could leave the seeds if you like it and want it super spicy.
Mexican oregano – You can find this at a Latin market and it’s very different from, say, Italian oregano. Of course, in a pinch you could use the Italian version. The Mexican version I find is more fragrant and delicious.
Mexican cinnamon – Phew. Maybe my favorite version of cinnamon. It’s much more brittle and snappy. It’s easy to break in two. If you’re using regular cinnamon, I would say just add it to the mixture to boil and then remove it and discard. No need to add it to the blender.
Cuts of meat – I’m using chuck stew meat that I bought in a big chunk and just cut it into 3-inch pieces. And then for flavor purposes, I added 1 pound of short ribs. You can use ALL chuck stew if you want (so 3 pounds). If there is any fatty excess pieces, just leave them because they add flavor to the sauce. I also used 1 pound of oxtail in one testing of it and it was wonderful. I was just frustrated that it yielded very little meat.

Making the Birria

Bring meat to room temperature and then salt it liberally.
In a large pot that has an oven-proof lid, place it over medium-high heat. You’re probably going to have to do this in batches, but sear the meat on both sides for about 3 minutes per side. Transfer the meat to a bowl and then repeat with the remaining pieces of meat.
Then you’re add the chiles, tomatoes, onions, spices and garlic to a pot. Cover the chiles and everything with water and simmer for about 20 minutes. We want the tomatoes and chiles very softened.
Drain it and then transfer everything to a blender, along with a cup or two of beef broth or water. Blend it up until super smooth.
Add the meat back to the large pot and pour the sauce over it. Pour 1 cup of broth in the blender and swish it back in forth (to pick up any extra sauce) and pour it into the pot. Bring it to a gentle simmer and then cover. Transfer the pot to the oven to braise for about 3 to 3 1/2 hours, until the meat shreds easily.

Directions

Remove the meat from the sauce and shred it with two forks.
Add some of the sauce (the consomé) to a bowl and add a little beef broth if it needs to be thinned out.
Mince up some onion and cilantro and mix it in a small bowl with a few squeezes of lime and a pinch of salt.
Add a spoonful of the cilantro and onion mixture to the consomé and add a squeeze of lime.
Dip a corn tortilla into the top of the sauce. This should be mostly fat. And add it to a non-stick skillet, set over medium-high heat.
Flip over and then add a small handful of shredded meat and a handful of Oaxacan cheese. Shape it into a quesadilla/taco. And flip it over so it can get crispy and melty on the other side.
Transfer to a baking sheet and place in a 200F oven while you work your way through the rest of the Birria tacos.

]]><![CDATA[Fort Collins Real Estate News for January 2024]]>Fri, 05 Jan 2024 20:53:10 GMThttps://www.coloradorepros.com/blog/fort-collins-real-estate-news-for-january-2024

For Sale

8124 S Timberline Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80525 - $2,050,000
Still available! Find your piece of the country living near the heart city. This property has 6+acres available nestled between Fort Collins and Loveland. Bring your horses and animals, enjoy the mature landscape, barn, pasture, and epic views of the mountains and country. The property includes fully-insulated and heated shops as well as a barn with loft, 4 stalls, a tack room, heated waterers, and a small sink with hot water heater. All buildings are permitted.

The interior has newer windows, paint, reclaimed wood accents, and luxury upgrades throughout. Come see this amazing country retreat!

1047 N Lincoln Loveland, CO 80537 - $500,000
High visibility office centrally located between downtown Loveland and US-34. Hardwood floors and trim create a professionally functional work space. Fluid layout with spacious reception/waiting room and 11 offices/exam rooms(several with plumbing) make for a multitude of options and uses for the space. Formerly, a longtime chiropractic office with ideal layout for medical or professional office uses. Currently used as an appraisal office. Includes 12 additional deeded parking spaces(see attachments).

3224 W Eisenhower Loveland, CO 80537 - $349,000
Unlock the potential of your dream living situation or business in this non-conforming duplex. Located in a desirable location on the west side of Loveland near the base of the big Thompson canyon. Zone T so you can bring a small business to one side and live in the other. Each side is separated by a door and has a kitchen, full bathroom, bed room, and living room, so it's ideal for a private roommate situation or family member. On one side, there is an enclosed sun room. This fixer upper needs a little TLC to become you dream business or perfect living situation. The property is being sold as is.

Recently Closed

160 Riverside B-1 Estes Park, CO 80517 - $699,000
Welcome to Riverside Retreat, a most successful vacation rental with 450+ reviews! Offering an open floorplan of 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths across one level, with finely finished, modern interior design & the perfect patio for easy living. You and your guests will enjoy a central location, walkable to restaurants, shopping, breweries, winery and the adventure park, as well as a 5 minute drive to the main entrance of RMNP. Fully furnished & professionally managed and transferable STR permit.

Business of the Month: A Better Day Cleaning and Concierge

A Better Day Cleaning & Concierge is a local home cleaning company in Northern Colorado that does exceptional work with maintenance, deep cleaning, spot cleaning and more! Realtors and landlords that need to clean up a home or apartment, or homeowners who simply don’t have time have all been very happy with the cleaning services from Better Day. In addition, they can do cleaning for businesses, offices, and commercial buildings as well.

Do you need a local cleaning company that is a pleasure to work with? Give Desiree and her team a call! Visit Better Day at www.thebetterdayway.com or call (970) 397-7932.

Pasta Fagioli Soup Recipe

The BEST Pasta e Fagioli Soup! And yes, it’s even better than Olive Garden’s! This Italian style soup is loaded with hearty ground beef, fresh vegetables, creamy beans, tender pasta and delicious herbs all in a rich and savory broth. Try this recipe from Cooking Classy for a delicious meal that will warm you up!

Ingredients

80% lean ground beef (you can substitute half Italian sausage)
Olive oil (for sautéing veggies)
Yellow onion, carrots, celery, garlic and parsley
Canned tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, great northern beans, and low-sodium chicken broth
Sugar. This very small amount just balances the acidity of the canned tomatoes. If preferred you can omit it.
1 Tbsp Dried oregano, basil, thyme, marjoram. If you don’t have all the different dried herbs then you can just use an Italian seasoning blend.
Ditalini pasta. In a pinch another small pasta will work fine here like macaroni or even orzo.
Parmesan cheese. Shredded Romano will work great too.

Directions

Cook beef in a pot, drain and transfer beef.
Saute veggies in same pot.
Add broth, tomato sauce, canned tomatoes, sugar, dried herbs and beef.
Simmer until veggies are tender.
Cook ditalini.
Add pasta and beans to soup warm briefly then stir in parsley.

]]><![CDATA[Fort Collins Real Estate News for November 2023]]>Tue, 28 Nov 2023 00:23:44 GMThttps://www.coloradorepros.com/blog/fort-collins-real-estate-news-for-november-2023

For Sale

8124 S Timberline Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80525 - $2,050,000
Find your piece of the country living near the heart city. This property has 6+acres available nestled between Fort Collins and Loveland. Bring your horses and animals, enjoy the mature landscape, barn, pasture, and epic views of the mountains and country. The property includes fully-insulated and heated shops as well as a barn with loft, 4 stalls, a tack room, heated waterers, and a small sink with hot water heater. All buildings are permitted.

The interior has newer windows, paint, reclaimed wood accents, and luxury upgrades throughout. Come see this amazing country retreat!

Under Contract

160 Riverside B-1 Estes Park, CO 80517 - $699,00

Recently Closed

306 Sundance Circle North #D204, Fort Collins, CO 80524 - $299,500
514 Fairchild St. Fort Collins, CO 80524 - $733,795
0 County Road 19 Lot C Firestone CO - $250,000

Business of the Month: EJ’s Helping Hand

EJ’s Helping Hand helps local homeowners with home repairs, cleaning, lawn services, electronics setup, and almost anything that might be found on your “honey do” list! EJ’s is a local business that has been providing general handyman services in Timnath, Fort Collins, Windsor, and Wellington.

For more information on EJ’s services or how they can help you, visit them online at ejshelpinghand.godaddysites.com or give them a call at 970-443-2697.

Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Ramen

Wondering what to do with that leftover Thanksgiving turkey? Christmas is coming up as well, where you might have too much turkey after a family dinner. This is an all-time favorite recipe to reuse that turkey into a DELICIOUS ramen bowl!

Ingredients

1 leftover turkey carcass (plus any leftover vegetables from your roasting pan)
6 scallions (divided)
8 slices ginger
6 dried shiitake mushrooms
16 cups water
4 eggs
4 oz. bacon (110g)
4 portions fresh ramen noodles
2 cups leftover turkey (shredded)

Directions

Remove most of the meat that's left from your turkey carcass, shred, and set aside. Put the carcass and the leftover vegetable from your roasting pan in a large stockpot along with 3 scallions, ginger slices, shiitake mushrooms, and water. Bring to a boil, and lower the heat to a simmer. Simmer for 3 hours. Our turkey was about 13 lbs and we used 14 cups to make this stock. Depend on the size of your bird, adjust the water accordingly.
Meanwhile, prepare your eggs and bacon. Put the eggs in a small saucepan and cover with cold water (the water should cover the eggs by about an inch). Bring to a boil. Once the water’s boiling, immediately remove the pot from the heat and let sit for 4 minutes. Transfer the eggs to an ice bath to cool. Cook the bacon in a pan until crisp. Drain on paper towels, chop, and set aside. Also take the time to chop the 3 remaining scallions.
Once the broth is done simmering, prepare the fresh noodles according to the package directions. Divide the noodles among 4 bowls and cover with broth. To each bowl, add some shredded turkey, chopped scallions, chopped bacon, and an egg. Serve.

]]><![CDATA[Fort Collins Real Estate News for September 2023]]>Thu, 21 Sep 2023 21:06:20 GMThttps://www.coloradorepros.com/blog/fort-collins-real-estate-news-for-september-2023

For Sale

8124 S Timberline Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80525 - $2,100,000
Find your piece of the country living near the heart city. This property has 6+acres available nestled between Fort Collins and Loveland. Bring your horses and animals, enjoy the mature landscape, barn, pasture, and epic views of the mountains and country. The property includes fully-insulated and heated shops as well as a barn with loft, 4 stalls, a tack room, heated waterers, and a small sink with hot water heater. All buildings are permitted.

The interior has newer windows, paint, reclaimed wood accents, and luxury upgrades throughout. Come see this amazing country retreat!

Under Contract

280 50th St. Greeley, CO 80634
514 Fairchild St. Fort Collins, CO 80524

Sold

3469 Leopard Pl. Loveland, CO 80537 $555K

Business of the Month: Performance Gutters Inc.

Performance Gutter Inc. has the simple mission of delivering high quality gutter services across Northern Colorado from Fort Collins to Longmont. They have been in business since 2004 with fair prices, superior quality, and exceptional customer service.

Residential and commercial gutter installation, repair or replacement, fascia, and cleaning – Performance Gutters Inc. can do it all. Visit them online at performanceguttersinc.com or give them a call at (970) 203-5351 to get started.

Tailgating Kabobs Recipes

Football season is here, which means it’s time to bust out the grill and get the tailgate going! Whether you’re at Canvas Stadium to root on the Rams, Empower Field to watch the Broncos, or in your backyard, try out this Teriyaki Pork Kabob recipe!

Ingredients

5 tablespoons soy sauce, divided
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced, divided
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
salt and pepper to taste
1 pound boneless pork loin, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 (14.5 ounce) can low-sodium beef broth
1 tablespoon brown sugar
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
3 portobello mushrooms, cut into quarters
1 large red onion, peeled and cut into 12 wedges
12 cherry tomatoes
12 bite-sized chunks fresh pineapple

Directions

Mix together 3 tablespoons soy sauce, olive oil, 1 clove minced garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. Add pork and turn to coat evenly. Cover the dish and refrigerate for 3 hours.
Combine broth, remaining 2 tablespoons soy sauce, brown sugar, remaining 2 cloves minced garlic, and ginger in a small saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer sauce for 5 minutes. Set aside.
Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil the grate.
Remove pork from marinade and shake off excess; discard marinade. Thread pork onto the skewers, alternating with mushrooms, onion, tomatoes, and pineapple.
Cook kebabs on the preheated grill, turning skewers every few minutes and basting with sauce often, until pork is cooked through, about 15 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of pork should read at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).

]]><![CDATA[Fort Collins Real Estate News for August 2023]]>Wed, 09 Aug 2023 22:18:10 GMThttps://www.coloradorepros.com/blog/fort-collins-real-estate-news-for-august-2023

Coming Soon

8124 S Timberline Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80525

2034 Taft Hill Rd. Fort Collins CO
1118 City Park Ave APT 130, Fort Collins, CO 80521
3031-3035 Maryland Pl, Loveland, CO 80538
7133 N County Rd 19, Fort Collins, CO 80524
3224 W Eisenhower Blvd, Loveland, CO 80537

Under Contract

3469 Leopard Pl. Loveland CO
6860 Mt. Toll Ct. Wellington CO
1304 Shamrock St. Fort Collins, CO

Business of the Month: HouseCall Home Inspections

When you are buying a home, you have to be ready for one of the largest investments of your life. This process can be stressful, or it can be simple. Kevin Martin with HouseCall Home Inspections makes this process much easier!

The purpose of a professional inspection is to reduce risk when purchasing a home and understand future costs or problem areas. Kevin is a professional inspector that serves all of Northern Colorado including Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Longmont, and Johnstown.

Contact HouseCall Home Inspections by calling (970) 290-9900 or visiting their website at www.housecallinspections.com to get started!

Summer Recipes: Lemon Blueberry Pancakes

Making breakfast on a summer weekend can be a great time to get the family together. Try a little twist on the morning pancakes with this Lemon Blueberry Pancake recipe from My Kitchen Love:
Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp granulated sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt
2-3 tsp lemon zest (packed), from approx. 1 large lemon
1 cup milk or milk alternative
2 large eggs
4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1-2 tbsp unsalted butter or oil alternative for cooking the batter

Directions:

In a large bowl whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest. Set aside.
In a medium bowl whisk together milk, eggs, butter, and fresh lemon juice (reserving blueberries until moments before cooking batter).
Quickly and with only a few strokes of a wooden spoon or a spatula add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. (Batter can be quite thick and should be lumpy). Cover the batter and keep in fridge until ready to cook the pancakes (up to 24 hrs.)
When you’re ready to make the pancakes, heat a large skillet over medium heat with about 1/2 tbsp of butter in it and mix the blueberries carefully and quickly into the batter.
Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, drop batter into skillet and cook for 2-4 minutes or until bottoms are browned. Flip and cook the other side.
Add more butter to the pan as need and repeat until remaining batter is used up.

]]><![CDATA[Fort Collins Real Estate News for June 2023]]>Fri, 23 Jun 2023 21:57:47 GMThttps://www.coloradorepros.com/blog/fort-collins-real-estate-news-for-june-2023

Coming Soon

8124 S Timberline Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80525

1118 City Park Ave APT 130, Fort Collins, CO 80521
3031-3035 Maryland Pl, Loveland, CO 80538
7133 N County Rd 19, Fort Collins, CO 80524
3224 W Eisenhower Blvd, Loveland, CO 80537

Closed Listings

2025-2027 Abilene Ct. Fort Collins, CO 80525 $660000
10302 W. Lehigh Ave. Lakewood, CO 80235 $612,500

Business of the Month: E & J Appliance Repair

E&J Appliance Repair is a local appliance repair service located in Loveland that help families deal with the crisis of a broken home appliance. Whether it is a refrigerator, washing machine, oven, or freezer – E&J Appliance is on top of it.

Don’t want to believe me? Just go read some of the reviews from happy customers and families. Emergency service, fair pricing, and knowledgeable work make E&J Appliance Repair the perfect call for any homeowner or rental company!

Give them a call for your next appliance repair needs at (303) 868-8509.

Summer Recipes: Grilled Fruit Kabobs

Many of us are already grilling for the summer, and while you might be thinking about steak, burgers, chicken and veggies, fruit is often forgotten as a grill favorite! Try out this BBQ Fruit Skewer recipe from Feel Good Foodie:

Fruit: I used cantaloupe, strawberries, and pineapple for this recipe. But like I said earlier, you can really use any fruit you want!
Maple syrup: This is optional, but I like to brush the fruit with a little bit of maple syrup before grilling. It helps the grill marks show up better and also adds a touch of sweetness to the fruit.

Prepare the Fruit

Cut your fruit into large chunks. Try and keep the piece uniform.
To make the fruit kabobs, thread pineapple, cantaloupe, and strawberry onto the skewer. Repeat the process to assemble as many skewers as you’d like to make.

Grill the Kabobs

Place the fruit skewers on the grill in a single layer.
Grill on each side. Look for grill marks and remove when browned and tender.

For the complete recipe and tips on preparing grilled fruit, visit the recipe!

What are some natural and safe mosquito repellants?

Mosquitoes are not just a nuisance, but a potential health risk due to the diseases they spread. Not only this, but the mosquitos appear to already be out of control here in Colorado this summer.

Despite the widespread availability of mosquito repellents based on chemicals, a growing number of individuals are looking for safer, more eco-friendly options. In this article, we'll discuss various mosquito-repelling strategies you can use at home to avoid getting bitten while spending time in the great outdoors.

Essential OilsNatural mosquito repellents made from essential oils extracted from different plants have been utilized for millennia. They efficiently prevent mosquitoes because they contain substances that the insects find unpleasant. Essential oils like citronella, eucalyptus, and geraniol are often used.

Citronella OilThe most well-known natural insect repellent is citronella oil. Mosquitoes won't be attracted to the pleasant odors that it covers up. Citronella oil has many different uses, including in aromatherapy, household cleaning, and even cosmetics when combined with a carrier oil.

Lemon Eucalyptus OilIt has been shown that PMD (p-menthane-3,8-diol), a chemical found in lemon eucalyptus oil, is just as efficient as DEET in repelling mosquitoes. Protect your skin by applying the oil after diluting it with a carrier oil.

Lavender OilThe mosquito-repelling properties of lavender oil are well-known, and the oil's lovely aroma is a bonus. It also helps with sleep and relaxation, which is a plus. Put sachets of dried lavender near your windows and doors, or rub diluted lavender oil on your skin.

Herbs and PlantsMosquitoes can be kept away from your garden and outdoor areas by using certain herbs and plants. You might want to add these plants to your garden:

Marigolds are a great choice since their fragrant blooms keep insects at bay. Marigolds are an effective natural bug deterrent, so plant them in containers or all over your patio.
Nepetalactone, a chemical found in catnip, is 10 times more effective than DEET at warding off mosquitoes. You can grow catnip in your garden or apply the crushed leaves topically.
In addition to its many uses in the kitchen, basil serves as a natural mosquito repellant. You can either put potted basil plants near open windows and doors, or rub crushed fresh basil leaves on your skin.

Mosquitoes can be effectively repelled without the use of potentially hazardous chemicals if you tap into the power of nature. To find the most effective mosquito repellent, try a variety of these natural oils, herbs, and home treatments.

]]><![CDATA[Fort Collins Real Estate News for May 2023]]>Thu, 11 May 2023 06:41:03 GMThttps://www.coloradorepros.com/blog/fort-collins-real-estate-news-for-may-2023

New Listings

10302 W. Lehigh Ave. Lakewood, CO 80235 $612,500
Sitting on more than 3/4 of an acre, this 4 bed 2 bath home won't disappoint. Spread out in the 2 large living areas and spacious back yard. Located in a highly sought-after neighborhood, this bright and airy open-concept living space boasts stunning views, large windows and beautifully updated flooring. The remodeled kitchen features granite countertops, a modern backsplash and stainless-steel appliances.

The living room's cozy feel and access to the expansive back deck make it the perfect place for relaxation and entertaining. The attached two-car garage and oversized driveway provide ample parking and storage space. Enjoy the private backyard oasis, perfect for outdoor living and gardening. The location cannot be beat, with convenient access to shopping, dining, entertainment and nearby parks. Don't miss this incredible opportunity to live in the heart of Lakewood!

Coming Soon

1118 City Park Ave. #130, Fort Collins CO 80521
Cozy Condo perfect for College or Grads students or traveling nurses. Easy walking/bicycling to CSU and all the surrounding establishments. 2 very large Bedrooms and 2 separate bathrooms, Each bedroom has their own bathroom, shower and nice size vanity. Small kitchen with lots of cupboards. Nice size living room.

Under Contract

2025-2027 Abilene Ct. Fort Collins, CO 80525
514 Fairchild St. Ft. Collins, CO 80524

Choosing The Best Home Security Camera for Your Home

Home security has become an increasingly important concern for homeowners in recent years, and one of the best ways to ensure safety and peace of mind is through the use of home security cameras. With the advent of new technology and innovative features, home security cameras have evolved significantly over the years.

What should you consider in a home security camera?

When choosing a home security camera, there are several factors that homeowners should consider to ensure that they get the best product for their needs. Some of the key factors to consider include:

Camera Type: There are different types of home security cameras available in the market, including indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras. Indoor cameras are designed for indoor use, while outdoor cameras are built to withstand harsh weather conditions. Doorbell cameras are typically used to monitor front door activity and can be connected to existing doorbell wiring. It is essential to choose the right type of camera that suits your specific needs.

Resolution and Video Quality: The resolution and video quality of a camera are crucial factors to consider. Higher resolution cameras can capture more details and produce clearer images and videos, making it easier to identify faces and objects. Look for cameras that offer at least 1080p resolution or higher.

Field of View and Coverage: The field of view and coverage of a camera determine how much area it can monitor. Wide-angle lenses offer a larger field of view, while cameras with adjustable coverage allow you to adjust the camera's view as needed.

Night Vision Capabilities: Cameras with infrared sensors and low-light performance are essential for monitoring activity at night or in low-light conditions. Look for cameras with night vision capabilities for optimal surveillance.

Connectivity Options: Home security cameras can connect to the internet through Wi-Fi or wired connections. Wireless cameras offer more flexibility and easier installation, while wired cameras are more reliable and secure.

Storage Options: Home security cameras can store footage on a cloud server or locally on an SD card or hard drive. Cloud storage offers easy access to footage from anywhere, while local storage ensures that your footage is stored securely and is not vulnerable to hacking.

Motion Detection and Alerts: Many home security cameras come with motion sensors that trigger notifications and alerts when motion is detected. Look for cameras with customizable sensitivity settings to avoid false alarms.

Two-Way Audio and Communication Features: Cameras with built-in microphones and speakers allow for interactive communication between the homeowner and visitors or intruders. This feature can be useful for remote communication or deterring potential intruders.

Integration with Smart Home Systems: Some home security cameras can integrate with existing smart home devices and platforms, such as Alexa or Google Assistant. This integration can allow for voice commands or automation and can enhance the overall home security system.

Our Recommendations for Home Security Cameras

Ring still has the best overall camera
There’s a reason that most homes you visit with doorbell cameras have a Ring camera. They were one of the first in the market, and remain one of the highest-quality, most reliable cameras on the market. The installation of a Ring camera is very easy, whether you choose indoor or outdoor models.

Ring cameras are perfect for Colorado as well, since the outdoor cameras are rated for all types of weather, from rain to snow.

SimpliCam is the best affordable camera
It’s not the highest quality camera out there, but it gets the job done and is very affordable. Not only is the Simplicam easy to install yourself, but the app is very easy to use. SimpliSafe offers three different cameras for indoor and outdoor use and a doorbell camera.

ADT is the best full-home security
While an ADT Home Security system is a little more pricey than other options, it does offer the best full home security including two-way audio, high resolution and motion detection, and integrated system. An ADT system of cameras is probably best if you have a larger home or property that you need to have surveillance for, or other detached buildings such as storage sheds, barns, or garages.

]]><![CDATA[Fort Collins Real Estate News for March 2023!]]>Sun, 19 Mar 2023 01:38:14 GMThttps://www.coloradorepros.com/blog/fort-collins-real-estate-news-for-march-2023New Listings

2920 Fractus St. Timnath, CO 80547 - $994,900
Gorgeous WildWing Superhome is available now! What makes this home super, besides the chic finishes of this 6 bed 5 bath house, another 1 bed 1 bath attached unit/Mother-in law suite. This home is better than new with over 5500 finished square feet and professionally landscaped back yard.

Coming Soon

We have 3 Listings Coming Soon!
1. 2025-2027 Abilene Ct. Fort Collins, CO 80525
2. 10302 W. Lehigh Ave. Lakewood, CO, 80235
3. 1118 City Park Ave. #130, Fort Collins CO 80521

We will update these as they come on the market!

Business of the Month - Triple Crown Sports

For the business of the month, we would like to highlight Fort Collins' very own, Triple Crown Sports. Triple Crown has been in business since 1982 and manages over 200 youth and college events across the country and Mexico in baseball, basketball, softball, lacrosse, and volleyball. The company is family owned and has nearly 60 full-time staff along with approximately 400 seasonal employees to facilitate the production of events each year.

To learn more about Triple Crown Sports, visit their website at https://www.triplecrownsports.com/

Spring Cleaning Tips!

Check out some great spring cleaning tips below!

Clean your Refrigerator! When was the last time you sprayed and wiped down your fridge?
Keep your storage spaces organized. Go through each item, and make 3 piles: Keep, Donate, and Toss!
Spray the windows and dust the blinds. The window cracks may have built-up mold, and your blinds are likely very dusty!
Steam clean the Microwave. Use one cup of water and a lemon, lime, or orange cut into thin slices, and turn on the microwave for at least a couple minutes to steam clean it!

We hope you enjoy these tips!

Ask about our Scottsdale Vacation Property!

Check out our Old Town Scottsdale Vacation Property. Conveniently located within 8 minutes of Old Town Scottsdale and Talking Stick Resort, we welcome you to inquire about availability for your trips to the Phoenix area!

Check out our website here: https://www.meetvirginiaaz.com/

From all of us here at Colorado Real Estate Pros, we hope you enjoy the rest of March, and are looking forward to spring and warmer weather!

Cheers - Brad and the Colorado Real Estate Pros team

]]><![CDATA[Fort Collins Real Estate News February 2023]]>Mon, 20 Feb 2023 22:24:38 GMThttps://www.coloradorepros.com/blog/fort-collins-real-estate-news-february-2023Colorado Real Estate Pros hopes that you all have had a great start to 2023! f you are looking to buy or sell your home this coming year, I would love to talk about the best strategies for doing so!

Give me a call today if you want to talk about the best buying or selling advice for your situation!

-Brad

New Listings For Sale

2920 Fractus St. Timnath, CO 80547
Gorgeous WildWing Superhome is available now! What makes this home super, besides the chic finishes of this 6 bed 5 bath house, another 1 bed 1 bath attached unit/Mother-in law suite. This home is better than new with over 5500 finished square feet and professionally landscaped back yard.

Convenience abounds in your connected smart home, with the beautiful finishes throughout, you'll find this home has it all. Recently finished basement with gym, soaking tub, and wet bar give you an additional 1500 finished sqft to spread out. Located in the heart of northern Colorado, you'll find transportation, shopping, and entertainment at every turn.

3523 Pierson St. Wheat Ridge CO 80033 - $549K
A hidden gem in Brookside. Come see this 3 bed 3 bath home located in the heart of Wheat Ridge. This home is ready for its next chapter, so bring your vision!

This ranch floor plan has 3 beds 2 baths upstairs and another bathroom and extra living space in the basement. This home has mature landscaping and at nearly a quarter acre you have room to enjoy your home with a bit of privacy. New flooring in the basement and a new water heater is a great start to whatever is next for this quaint home. Conveniently located near transportation, shopping, and schools this home offers so much.

Coming Soon

2025-2027 Abilene Ct. Fort Collins CO 80525

1118 City Park #130 Fort Collins CO

Business of The Month - AB PCA PC

AB CPA PC - Great Small Business CPA's! Give AB CPA a call today at 720-941-0335 or visit their website at https://www.abcpa.us/

Spring Cleaning Tips:

Trim branches that are overgrown or too low on trees.
Remove excess leaves from the fall that didn't make it out with the fall leaf cleanup.
Prepare your lawn or yard for adding new mulch, compost, or dirt! Get ready to power rake, and make sure your lawn is ready for some spring love!

Recipe of the Month - Slow-Cooker Corned Beef & Cabbage!

Check out this great recipe from allrecipes.com for Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage
Ingredients:

10 baby red potatoes, quartered
4 large carrots, peeled and cut into matchstick pieces
1 onion, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces
4 cups water
1 (4 pound) corned beef brisket with spice packet
6 ounces beer
½ head cabbage, coarsely chopped

Directions

Step 1: Place potatoes, carrots, and onion into the bottom of a slow cooker; add water and place brisket on top of vegetables. Pour beer over brisket; sprinkle over spices from the packet and cover.
Step 2: Cook on High for 7 hours; stir in the cabbage and cook for 1 more hour.

]]><![CDATA[Fort Collins Real Estate News December 2022]]>Thu, 01 Dec 2022 19:45:36 GMThttps://www.coloradorepros.com/blog/fort-collins-real-estate-news-december-2022Colorado Real Estate Pros wants to wish everyone a safe and happy holidays! As we prepare to head into 2023, there is quite a bit of uncertainty in residential real estate. As we monitor mortgage rates, it’s important to know how the national factors have an effect on Northern Colorado real estate.

Give me a call today if you want to discuss your strategy for buying or selling a home in the coming year!

-Brad

New Listings for Sale

3523 Pierson St. Wheat Ridge CO 80033 - $599K
A hidden gem in Brookside. Come see this 3 bed 3 bath home located in the heart of Wheat Ridge. This home is ready for its next chapter, so bring your vision!

This ranch floor plan has 3 beds 2 baths upstairs and another bathroom and extra living space in the basement. This home has mature landscaping and at nearly a quarter acre you have room to enjoy your home with a bit of privacy. New flooring in the basement and a new water heater is a great start to whatever is next for this quaint home. Conveniently located near transportation, shopping, and schools this home offers so much.

35 Winnebago, Red Feather Lakes, CO 80545
Come and stay at this Crystal Lakes 10 acre estate lot. This 3 bed 2 bath home has so much to offer and beautiful views in every direction. Bring your toys and horses and enjoy the space however you want. Outside a pen and outbuildings give you space for you animals or additional storage. The wrap around porch and fire pit make for a great place to entertain or just unwind and leave your stress behind.

Home is well loved and cared for, with the primary bathroom recently receiving a complete update and newer carpet. Cozy up by the fireplace in the bonus room or the wood stove in the living room. Conveniently located near the school, just moments from the town center, you'll find the trip to Laramie or Fort Collins quick and quiet. Professionally cared for roads allow for year round access, so you can enjoy whenever you want.

Coming Soon

2025-2027 Abilene Ct. Fort Collins CO 80525

1118 City Park #130 Fort Collins CO

For those interested, we have a property that is not listed currently. If you're interested in a Hobby Farm on the south end of Fort Collins that's going for $1.99million, please send us a private message

Check out our Arizona rental, conveniently located in Old Town Scottsdale. 8401 Virginia Dale Dr. Available for your vacation rental! If you are interested in staying in our fantastic house in the heart of Scottsdale, please shoot me a message. We will have a website and Facebook page up live soon for this property

Holiday Donations

For those looking to donate this holiday season, Colorado Real Estate Pros encourages you to think about your local charities that you love to support. We will be having a holiday event where we will be collecting jackets, hats, and socks, and donating to the community.

Please contact us for details about how you can donate!

Green Chile Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Whether you need to warm up or recover from an illness, try out this classic chicken noodle soup recipe from mjskitchen.com with a twist

Ingredients

2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 large carrot, halved lengthwise, sliced
2 heads of roasted garlic*, peeled
8 – 9 cups chicken stock/water*, set aside 2 cups
1 tsp. dried oregano, crushed
½ tsp. coarse ground black pepper
salt to taste
3 – 4 cups chopped or torn chicken*, cooked or uncooked
1 cup mild to medium roasted green chile*, chopped
½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
8 ounces noodles

Directions

In a large soup pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
Sauté onion, celery and carrots for 4 minutes.
Add 6 cups of chicken stock and/or water, oregano, pepper, chicken, and chile to the pot.
In a blender, add 2 cups stock and the roasted garlic cloves. Blend. Or, using an immersion blender, add to a bowl or pitcher and blend. Add to the soup.
Bring soup to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and simmer for 20 minutes. Add more water if needed.
Stir in the cilantro. Cook 3 minutes. Taste for salt. Add salt if needed.
If you have time, let the soup rest for at least an hour or overnight in the refrigerator to give the flavors time to meld. Reheat while you cook the noodles. If serving immediately, cook the noodles while the soup is cooking.
Cook the noodles. DO NOT add them to the soup pot! To serve, place about ½ cup noodles to a soup bowl and top with soup. Garnish with more cilantro or green scallions tops, if desired.

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