June 12, 2009

For Immediate Release

It started as a way to reassure homebuyers that now is the right time to own a home. Now it’s blossomed into a win-win-win opportunity for buyers, HomeTown Aurora and Bigelow Homes. It’s been nearly three months since the builder first began offering “The Recession-Proof Home” — a program designed to take the guessword out of buying a home in a volatile market. Now that the program has matured, Bigelow officials continue to be pleased with the results.

“It was one of those ideas that made so much sense, we all wondered why we didn’t think of it sooner,” explained Jamie Bigelow, the developer’s president. “We all knew that this was a good time to buy, but how do you convey that to skeptical homebuyers who hear one fantastic promise after another from builders?”

“We decided to create a plan that laid everything out in concrete terms, included as many guarantees as possible, and left absolutely nothing to the imagination.”

The recession-proof home is both a guarantee and a custom design available in both a single-family home and rowhome at HomeTown Aurora.

Features include:

• Mortgage Payment Protection: If the buyer becomes unemployed, the developer will make the mortgage payments for up to six months 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 rentable private living quarters.

Prices start at $150,400 for three bedrooms, three full baths, a two-car attached garage, super insulated windows, none-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 mable vanity tops; king-sized mirros; and upscale hidden-hinge cabinets.

The Recession-Proof Home concept is so unique that Wikipedia is considering adding a “Recession-Proof Home” entry that credits Bigelow Homes with the idea.

“We really didn’t expect the idea to get this much national interest,” Bigelow said. “Though I don’t really mind the attention, the thought that buyers won’t have to worry about buying a home from us is much more satisfying to me. Long after the recession is over, these homeowners will still have the reassurance that the features and warranteies convey.”

Multiple award-winning, eco-friendly HomeTown Aurora has warm neighborhood features that encourage close ties, such as large, inviting front porches; six-foot wide sidewalks that accommodate side-by-side strollers; beautiful parks; and town center shopping. In addition, there is a daycare center in the community and an elementary school close by.

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 Tollway 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 a.m. to 6 p.m. 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.

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