March 12, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FROM: Jean Van Rensselar, McElroy Associates, 630-363-8081

                                    Joe McElroy, McElroy Associates, 630-355-3151

RE:                The World's First Recession-Proof Homes

            Go ahead and do an online search - you'll find no other recession-proof homes on the market...anywhere. Bigelow Homes is the first to offer one - and it's no gimmick. Every feature is smartly designed to take the guesswork out of buying a home.

            "We understand that there are a number of reasons why people are reluctant to jump into the housing market," explained Jamie Bigelow, president of Bigelow Homes. "However if you can overcome those fears, it's a great time to buy.  After a lot of brainstorming, we figured out a way to reassure our buyers that their investment is safe."

            Basically, Bigelow Homes eliminated the things that used to keep buyers up at night and is guaranteeing everything but the...well, pretty much everything.

            So what makes the new homes at Bigelow's HomeTown Aurora recession proof:

·          Mortgage Payment Protection: If the buyer becomes unemployed, the developer will make the mortgage payments while the buyer looks for a new job.

·          Home Price Protection: The developer will guarantee that the home price will never be lower than the price the buyer paid. This means that if the home price does go down, the owner will be reimbursed the difference.

·          No Down Payment: In many cases, buyers can take advantage of Bigelow's Sweat Equity Program to come up with the down payment.

·          A New Home Warranty: Everything is covered under a comprehensive warranty - this means no unexpected costs after move in.

·          Heating Bill Guaranteed at $400 Per Year: Quality, energy-efficient construction allows Bigelow Homes to guarantee that if your heating bills exceed $400 per year in any of the first three years, the developer will reimburse the difference.

·          Flexible Living Space: Need extra money?  The recession-proof home's floor plan is flexible enough to accommodate a home-based business with all its tax advantages or separate private living quarters - perfect for a roommate.

                        The recession-proof home design is available in both a single-family home and rowhome. Prices start at $159,900 for three bedrooms, three full baths, a two-car attached garage, super insulated windows, nine-foot first floor ceilings, and amenities such as -  lots of closet space; brushed nickel light fixtures and carpet; and an open kitchen with an island, pantry,  42-inch upper cabinets, luxury countertops, and GE appliances. Bathrooms feature designer color cultured marble vanity tops; king-sized mirrors; and upscale hidden-hinge cabinets.

            "Between the reasonable prices, the historically low interest rates, and the recession-proof protection, I can't think of anything that would make buying one of our homes a safer investment than it is now," Bigelow said. "If you add in the government's new first-time buyer credit, this is a wonderful opportunity that may not come again for decades."

            With its diverse home designs and people-friendly ambience, HomeTown Aurora has classic cozy neighborhood features such as traditional exteriors, large, inviting front porches; white picket fences; big bay windows; six-foot wide sidewalks that accommodate side-by-side strollers; living courts; private cul-de-sacs; streets designed to keep traffic under 15 mph; and town center shopping.  In addition, there is a daycare center on the premises and an elementary school close by.

            The community, which was largely responsible for Professional Builder magazine naming Perry Bigelow National Builder of the Year, also won the Metropolitan Planning Council's Community Vision Award for its environmentally responsible design. In addition, two of the 15 parks won the Public Recognition Award, given out annually by the Illinois Chapter of The American Society of Landscape Architects. 

            HomeTown Aurora is within three miles of the Westfield Fox Valley Shopping Center, Oakhurst Forest Preserve, Phillips Park Golf Course, Phillips Park Zoo, and the Eola Community Center, which includes a public library. The East-West Toll way and public transportation are 10 minutes or less away.

            To get to HomeTown Aurora, take Route 59 to Ogden Avenue, west to Montgomery Road, then north one mile.

            Furnished home models are open from 10 to 6 daily, and Fridays from noon to 6 p.m. Furnished models of the Lofts are open Mon., Tues., Thurs., Sat., and Sun. from 10 a.m.  to 6 p.m., and Fridays from noon to 6 p.m.  Townhome models are closed on Wednesdays. 

            Those looking for more information on HomeTown Aurora can call 630-851-8040. The Web site: www.BigelowHomes.com also provides a wealth of information.