American Homes Ribbon Cutting for Green, Energy Savings and Storm Resistant Home for the Berlen's in Port Charlotte Florida
American Homes, LLC cuts the ribbon on a bright future despite tough times.
Port Charlotte, FL, October 04, 2008 --(PR.com)-- When representatives from American Homes, LLC and the Berlen family cut the ribbon on their new high performance green home on Thursday, September 4, they were opening up a new opportunity for growth during one of the toughest real estate markets in decades.
North Port-based American Homes has found the way out of the building crisis is paved in green. Certified Green, that is. In an effort to differentiate their product from the myriad of foreclosures, resales and empty inventory homes, President and CEO of American Homes Dennis Kotaska decided to separate himself from the rest by building high‐performance, environmentally sound homes.
“These homes sell themselves,” said Kotaska. “When compared side-by-side to a traditionally built home, green homes are simply better constructed, more affordable to live in, and safer for both the homebuyer and the planet.”
John Berlen, network engineer for Charlotte County and recent American Homes buyer, agrees. He and his wife Cynthia, their four teenaged children and his father will soon be moving into their new 6 bedroom, 4½ bath home, where the only things they will sacrifice are high energy bills and weekends spent doing maintenance. The Berlen’s new home has all the features you’d expect in a home priced in the $500s, such as a double red oak staircase that provides convenient access to the second floor from the foyer, living room, and kitchen, nine‐ and ten foot ceilings, an elegant master suite, and a kitchen fit for a gourmet. But it's what you can't see that makes the Berlen home so special and high performance.
Soy-based blown foam insulation, sealed roof system, impact resistant and low-e thermal-insulated, energy efficient windows and doors, a three-zone AC system, passive solar for hot water, and low-VOC paint and finishes that eliminate the harsh chemicals and “new home” smell that often endures in a non-green house for weeks after moving day are just a few of this home’s many green features. Plus, it’s built to rigid hurricane standards.
“I was here during Hurricane Charley, and I watched my home and my neighborhood get destroyed. Because of my job, I can’t evacuate—instead, I’ll need to ride it out in a County building. So I have to know that if it ever happens again, my family will be safe,” explained Berlen. “We even installed a 16kw generator that kicks on automatically in a power outage.”
Other custom features added to the Berlen home include the conversion of the formal living room into his father’s bedroom, and a fourth bathroom was added with a zero‐step shower to complete the suite. Wider doorways and hallways to allow for wheelchair passage were also included. But perhaps the most exciting additions will come in the form of rebate checks a few weeks after moving day.
“There is a potential to save thousands because of going green,” said Rob Struckman, a certified inspector for the Florida Green Building Coalition, the organization responsible for making sure homes meet exacting green specifications for energy and materials efficiency and conservation. “While the Berlens might have spent two to four percent more in purchase price to go green, they’ll make up the difference quickly in thousands of dollars in energy rebates and lower utility bills each month.
“Dennis [Kotaska] is way ahead of the curve,” said Mike Evans, Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte Counties regional director for Eco-$mart, Inc., a for-profit company that helps builders adopt green building practices and products. “Some builders treat green building as a code, when instead it’s a total philosophy,” said Evans. “American Homes is building for the future, right now, by creating homes that can sustain their beauty, their integrity, and their economic advantages for decades to come.”
In fact, the economic advantages begin before the home is even built. When using American Homes, LLC affiliate lender, they will pay $7,000 towards closing costs and the interest during construction under a construction to permanent loan program.
“It’s a happy coincidence that going green with energy saving features and storm resistant construction has meant growth for my company.” said Kotaska. “But more important is what it means to my buyers in the long-term benefits of lower insurance costs, lower energy costs, and greater peace of mind.”
American Homes offers a wide range of home styles built to Green standards and priced from the $150s.
For more information: call 941-429-7772 or go their website at www.amrhomes.com
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North Port-based American Homes has found the way out of the building crisis is paved in green. Certified Green, that is. In an effort to differentiate their product from the myriad of foreclosures, resales and empty inventory homes, President and CEO of American Homes Dennis Kotaska decided to separate himself from the rest by building high‐performance, environmentally sound homes.
“These homes sell themselves,” said Kotaska. “When compared side-by-side to a traditionally built home, green homes are simply better constructed, more affordable to live in, and safer for both the homebuyer and the planet.”
John Berlen, network engineer for Charlotte County and recent American Homes buyer, agrees. He and his wife Cynthia, their four teenaged children and his father will soon be moving into their new 6 bedroom, 4½ bath home, where the only things they will sacrifice are high energy bills and weekends spent doing maintenance. The Berlen’s new home has all the features you’d expect in a home priced in the $500s, such as a double red oak staircase that provides convenient access to the second floor from the foyer, living room, and kitchen, nine‐ and ten foot ceilings, an elegant master suite, and a kitchen fit for a gourmet. But it's what you can't see that makes the Berlen home so special and high performance.
Soy-based blown foam insulation, sealed roof system, impact resistant and low-e thermal-insulated, energy efficient windows and doors, a three-zone AC system, passive solar for hot water, and low-VOC paint and finishes that eliminate the harsh chemicals and “new home” smell that often endures in a non-green house for weeks after moving day are just a few of this home’s many green features. Plus, it’s built to rigid hurricane standards.
“I was here during Hurricane Charley, and I watched my home and my neighborhood get destroyed. Because of my job, I can’t evacuate—instead, I’ll need to ride it out in a County building. So I have to know that if it ever happens again, my family will be safe,” explained Berlen. “We even installed a 16kw generator that kicks on automatically in a power outage.”
Other custom features added to the Berlen home include the conversion of the formal living room into his father’s bedroom, and a fourth bathroom was added with a zero‐step shower to complete the suite. Wider doorways and hallways to allow for wheelchair passage were also included. But perhaps the most exciting additions will come in the form of rebate checks a few weeks after moving day.
“There is a potential to save thousands because of going green,” said Rob Struckman, a certified inspector for the Florida Green Building Coalition, the organization responsible for making sure homes meet exacting green specifications for energy and materials efficiency and conservation. “While the Berlens might have spent two to four percent more in purchase price to go green, they’ll make up the difference quickly in thousands of dollars in energy rebates and lower utility bills each month.
“Dennis [Kotaska] is way ahead of the curve,” said Mike Evans, Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte Counties regional director for Eco-$mart, Inc., a for-profit company that helps builders adopt green building practices and products. “Some builders treat green building as a code, when instead it’s a total philosophy,” said Evans. “American Homes is building for the future, right now, by creating homes that can sustain their beauty, their integrity, and their economic advantages for decades to come.”
In fact, the economic advantages begin before the home is even built. When using American Homes, LLC affiliate lender, they will pay $7,000 towards closing costs and the interest during construction under a construction to permanent loan program.
“It’s a happy coincidence that going green with energy saving features and storm resistant construction has meant growth for my company.” said Kotaska. “But more important is what it means to my buyers in the long-term benefits of lower insurance costs, lower energy costs, and greater peace of mind.”
American Homes offers a wide range of home styles built to Green standards and priced from the $150s.
For more information: call 941-429-7772 or go their website at www.amrhomes.com
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Contact
American Homes, LLC
Dennis Kotaska
941-429-7772
www.amrhomes.com
Dennis Kotaska
941-429-7772
www.amrhomes.com
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