Cutline: Downhome charm, eco-friendly features that save real money and the environment, a low energy bill guarantee and quality construction, make homes such as this Blanco Model at Bigelow Homes' Blanco River Village in San Marcos, a rare find.

 

January 22, 2009

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

FROM:Jean Van Rensselar, McElroy Associates, 630-355-5966

RE:  New Green Community Guarantees Low Cooling Bills

 

Blanco River Village Offers Green-Built Homes Starting at just $109,500

 

These days, it is getting much easier to find a homebuilder willing to build you a “green” home.  That is, as long as you have the extra money to do so.  

 

That’s because there is usually a premium associated with building green. Most green building materials have yet to come down in price and most homebuilders have yet to relearn their craft, in order to achieve all of the advantages that building with today’s state-of-the-art construction techniques bring.  Consequently, it can cost upwards of 3 percent to 5 percent of the purchase price to live in an eco-friendly home. 

 

But at Blanco River Village, in San Marcos, Bigelow Homes offers the opportunity to own a green home while paying less than you would for a comparable-sized home elsewhere.  Bigelow Homes is one of the nation’s pioneers in building green, energy-efficient homes. 

 

“We were building ‘green’ before it was even called green,” said Jamie Bigelow, the company’s president. “We’ve always focused on doing the right thing, not because it was popular, but because we felt it was the responsible thing to do”.

 

Bigelow Homes discovered, early on, that as much as homeowners like the idea of living in a home that takes less of a toll on our planet, choosing to do so becomes much more difficult when it takes a toll on one’s own pocketbook.  “We quickly learned that owning a green, energy-efficient home must not only help save the planet, but help save the homeowner money in the process,” Bigelow said.

 

 In fact, Bigelow Homes is so confident in their ability to deliver homes that save the homeowner money, they actually guarantee it.  Residents in Blanco River Village receive a cooling guarantee, promising that cooling costs won’t exceed $400 for the entire year. (The guarantee amount is $600 for their largest homes)  Bigelow achieves this by incorporating an array of construction details and equipment that allow the home to operate using far fewer kilowatts of energy than a typical home.

            Blanco River Village offers 13 different home plans, including five from the new courtyard series.

 

            Construction has just begun on the new Shania Model, a two-story home with two bedrooms plus a loft that can be converted into a third bedroom, and 1-1/2 baths with an additional bathroom available as an option.  The first floor features a kitchen with a pantry and breakfast bar, a large great room and dining area.  Base price starts at just $109,500

            Visitor can tour three of the eight homes being offered in Bigelow’s Neighborhood Series.

 

            The 1,740 square-foot Angelina model is a ranch home, featuring three bedrooms, two baths, a living room, a dining room and a spacious kitchen which opens up into the family room.  The home also includes a luxurious owner’s suite and two-car garage.

 

            The Blanco model includes 1,630 square feet of living space and features a first floor owner’s suite, two additional bedrooms , 2 1/2 baths, plus a game room on the second floor, a kitchen with breakfast bar, a family room, a dining room and an optional “Kid’s Kave” -- a contemporary children’s play retreat -- upstairs.  The model also features an available studio over the garage; perfect for number of uses including a home office and a hobby room.

 

            The Medina model features 2,410 square feet and includes a spacious kitchen with a spacious urban kitchen with island, four bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, a third floor loft with an available refreshment center, and a balcony and a second floor laundry room. The model also includes an optional guest suite over the detached two-car garage.

 

            To Visit Blanco River Village, take I-35, go east on Hwy 80, North on Hwy 21 and the community is on the left.

            To sign up for the Blanco River Village interest list and to be invited to a private sneak preview party where the exciting new models will be unveiled before they’re opened to the general public, visit BlancoRiverVillage.net or call 512-392-6700.