New Home Finder

Q: A local home- builder is of- fering Energy Star-certified properties. They say this is a big money saver. How does this program work? A: Energy Star is an EPA program that highlights energy- saving options. According to the government, the nation's 20 largest homebuilders all construct Energy Star-certified homes and "over 2.2 million Energy Star certi- fied new homes and apartments have been built to date, with more than 120,000 in 2020 alone. Energy Star- certified homes and apartments are at least 10% more energy efficient than those built to code and achieve a 20% improvement on average." In other words, an Energy Star home will likely have such advantages as better insulation; appli- ances that require less power to operate; better thermostats; more efficient hot water heaters, clothes washers and clothes dryers; energy-effi- cient lightbulbs; and more efficient heat- ing and air condition- ing systems. Combine these factors and the result is smaller energy bills. Basic energy effi- ciencies will produce savings for the life of the property. Better insulation, as an example, saves money year after year. What's curious about the Energy Star program is that it makes a lot of sense, and yet such new homes are not universally avail- able. For instance, in 2020 there were roughly 1.26 million privately-owned housing units under construction and even though tax credits are available to builders, only 10% or so were Energy Star qualified. This is a concern because lots of new Energy Star-qualified homes can mean big energy savings nationwide — and that means less pollu- tion, less fracking, fewer generating plants, and greater energy independence. The government says that in 2019, the Energy Star program helped save "nearly 500 billion kilowatt- hours of electricity and avoid $39 billion in energy costs." Homes that consume less energy have lower monthly utility costs. That's one financial bene- fit from Energy Star development. However, there's also a second, the energy- efficient mortgage (EEM). The theory behind energy-efficient mortgage loans is that the homeown- ers spend less money per month on utili- ties and thus have more dollars for a mortgage. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the VA and the FHA all offer energy- efficient mortgage financing. Such loans can be used to buy an energy-efficient home or to refinance and pay for energy- efficient upgrades. For example, under the FHA program, refinance money can be used to improve household weatherization. A basic test is whether an improvement can pay for itself through lower energy costs. When buying under the FHA program, an energy- efficient mortgage offers higher debt- to-income (DTI) ratios — 33/45 — when compared with the 31/43 stan- dard. This means a borrower can qualify for financing with higher monthly debt costs than might otherwise be allowed. Seen another way, a quali- fied borrower can often get a bigger loan with energy- efficient mortgage financing. Email your real estate questions to Peter Miller at peter@ ctwfeatures.com. How does the Energy Star certification work? MarketWatch By Peter G. Miller plank (LVP) flooring at entries, kitchens, laun- dry room, and bath- rooms. Plus every Tim Lewis Communities home includes a free Tesla electric vehicle charger. Poppy Lane is lo- cated in desirable Elk Grove just off Whi- telock Parkway and Big Horn Boulevard within the highly rated Elk Grove Unified School District. Residents will be impressed with the location just a short walk to the Oasis rec- reational park facility with ballfields, play equipment and even pickleball courts. Buyers can choose from three floor plans featuring 1,891 square feet to over 2,750 square feet. But what makes Poppy Lane one of the best values in town are the attractive prices — starting in the high $500,000s — and the energy savings of solar-living homes combined with today's incredibly low interest rates, which increases buyers' buying power. "Homebuyers today are seeking out more for their hard-earned dollars, not only at the time of purchase, but also for the years to follow," states Linda Schwartz, director of sales and marketing for Tim Lewis Com- munities. "The choices don't stop at choosing your floor plan. Our homebuyers will get to choose from a variety of interior design packages specific to their own individual taste and already built into the price of the home. So Poppy Lane provides a mortgage you can count on and a comfortable well-built home you and your family can enjoy for years to come," she adds. Additionally, Tim Lewis Communities is bringing their beautiful homes on large home- sites to Galt, only 15 minutes south of Elk Grove off Highway 99. With both single- and two-story floor plans and a variety of eleva- tions, Cedar Creek of- fers dream homes at just over 1,645 square feet to over 2,570 square feet. Model homes are under con- struction and sales have begun with prices starting in the low $500,000s. Tim Lewis Com- munities is a Northern California and Nevada homebuilder with more than 35 years of experience crafting and marketing homes of solid value and ex- ceptional appeal for thousands of satisfied homeowners. To visit the new model homes and sales office at Poppy Lane in Elk Grove, take Inter- state 5 and exit at Elk Grove Boulevard East. Turn right on Franklin Boulevard, left on Whi- telock Parkway and pro- ceed to Carinata Drive. Turn right to the model homes. Or from High- way 99, take Elk Grove Boulevard West and turn left on Big Horn Road. Turn right on Whitelock Parkway, left on Carinata Drive and left on Seahorse Way to the model homes. For more informa- tion, call (916) 647- 4493 or visit www. timlewis.com. Content provided by Tim Lewis Communities TIM LEWIS from page 2 ELLIS from page 4 And soon, four-legged family members will have a place to adventure with a planned dog park for everything from games of fetch to puppy meetups. Inspired new neigh- borhoods are now sell- ing at Ellis: Zephyr and Berkshire by Woodside Homes and Hartwell, Kinbridge, and Townsend by Landsea Homes. These single-family residences offer a variety of design opportunities, including expansive floor plans with stunning open-concept spaces, multigenerational suites, California Rooms, in-home offices, flexible rooms and more. It's all part of a big- ger picture: an unrivaled and connected lifestyle like nothing you've seen before. Ellis is where families take root and the future opens beyond the imaginable. Where a world of discovery is right at your fingertips and a vibrant social committee that's dedicated to throw- ing the kind of commu- nity events you deserve — because they love Ellis just as much as you do. At Ellis in Tracy, you're always right where you want to be. From local res- taurants and shops to per- forming arts, wineries and recreation, you can take your pick of any way to spend your day. And with the ACE Train and nearby freeways providing ready access to everything, you're perfectly situated between the excitement of the Bay Area and the possibilities of life at your pace. What's not to love? Ellis is located at Cor- ral Hollow Road and Ellis Town Drive. For more in- formation on Ellis, please visit EllisTracy.com. Content provided by Surland Companies *Source: 2020 Scarborough Research This New Home Finder map guide reaches Sunday BANG + e-Edition Readership 615,100 * BANG includes The Mercury News and East Bay Times + e-Edition Over the Altamont/Central Valley Your guide to finding the perfect dream home. Oregon Coast Reno/Tahoe/Nevada Your guide to finding the perfect dream home. San Francisco Bay Area New Boutique Single Level Resi- dences in Walnut Creek. 2 Bed + 2 Bath floor plans perfectly situated atop Downtown with sweeping views of Mt. Diablo. Within walk- ing distance of thriving retail and restaurants. Home Features : Designer Fin- ishes, Walkable to BART, Large Private Balconies, Shared Rooftop Lounge, 3 Available Floor Plans Open by appointment only. Call to tour! 57 WALNUT CREEK 1954 TRINITY AVE. From the $1.4 Millions (877) 678-3370 livelenox.com 37.9016254 -122.0711078 37.9016254 -122.0711078 Riverchase is a new home com- munity in West Sacramento, featuring a collection of 222 two story contemporary homes wrapped around a private, central park. Homes range in size from 1,559 to 1,835 sq. ft. Riverchase offers close proximity to down- town with the comfort and peace of mind of a quiet suburb. Call to schedule a private walk through. Located at 3131 Bobwhite Court in West Sacramento. 58 WEST SACRAMENTO RIVERCHASE From the Low $500,000s (916) 462-6888 Riverchase.net 38.5432001 -121.5764771 38.5432001 -121.5764771 Welcome to The Tides at Newport, West Sacramento's premier new home community. Find spacious two-story homes ranging in size from approxi- mately 2,377-2,812 sq. ft., with 4-5 bedrooms and 2.5-4 bathrooms. En- joy an ideal setting just minutes from downtown Sacramento, the Sacra- mento River, and the American River. Shopping and dining are just a short walk away at the Southport Town Center, including a Nugget Market. The Tides at Newport is located off I-80 at Lake Wa shingt on Blv d. Open daily 10AM-6PM No waitlist!* (*certain floorplans may be excluded.) 59 WEST SACRAMENTO THE TIDES AT NEWPORT From the Mid $700,000s (916) 572-0636 seenohomes.com 38.55164 -121.5328637 38.55164 -121.5328637 Last Chance! This beautiful new community located in the charming town of Woodland offers 4 floorplans featuring 1,702 – 2,607 sq. ft., 2-5 bedrooms, and 2-3.5 bathrooms. This Pines is in a great location near parks and walking trails. Small town charm of Woodland but convenient location near Hwy 113 and Interstate 5 for an easy commute to Davis and downtown Sacramento. Great schools. Open to tour by private appoint- ment. 60 WOODLAND THE PINES AT SPRING LAKE From the High $500,000s (866) 778-0960 WoodsideHomes.com/norcal 38.660 -121.723 38.657468 -121.751457 Reserved for your New Home C ommunity . 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