Stanton Homes - Building Green in the Triangle: October 2009

Green got you going?  Hearing some green terms tossed around? Well, thanks to Shelby Kyle at RE/MAX, you'll be able to understand a few of those terms just a little bit better!

Interested in green homes or green features in the Raleigh/Triangle/Fort Bragg area?  Contact us, or call 919-278-8070.  Or check out www.GreenHomesTriangle.com for some more great topics!

Thinking green?

Want to help the planet a little with your next home?

Here's some great tips to keep in mind...

Contact us or call 919-278-8070 for more information about green building and green features in the Raleigh NC area.

New Homes Raleigh NC

Sunday November 15th 12-4pm

"Muddy Boots" Meet the Builder Event

Join Stanton Homes for a special "Muddy Boots Meet the Builder" event on Sunday November 15^th in Horizon (directions below). 

Walk through a home in progress with renowned local builder Stan Williams of Stanton Homes.

See what happens as the walls go up - and learn about the process that makes a difference underneath the details and decorating.

It's like walking through the blueprints, as the Stanton Homes team explains the process from design to conception.

This tour offers insight into special design solutions offered by Stanton Homes, available in a wide variety of price points.

Custom Design Solutions - Design and Build in the $200s and Up

The home chosen for this event is a unique custom design featuring wheelchair accessibility, in a gorgeous 3200 sq ft floor plan with elevator and mother in law suite.

Energy Wise - Guaranteed Energy Savings

This home also features the Energy Wise heating and cooling guarantee program - there's a written guarantee that heating and cooling won't exceed $92 per month, or about 1/3 of the cost using conventional construction methods. 

Bring Your Questions, and Get Some Answers! 

One on one discussions with the builder and his team will be available. 

Bring all your questions, and we'll get you the answers you need:

•·         Choosing a Floor Plan - is "design/build" best, or can a "ready made" floor plan be modified?

•·         How to find the perfect location, and what Stanton Homes can do to help.

•·         Cutting costs while building value - what to watch out for before signing a contract.

•·         Going green and saving green - what moves make sense.

•·         Mother in law suites, accessibility, and other special needs.

Contrast and Compare Price Tags For Your New Home Ideas!

Let us know what you have in mind, and we'll prepare a free home building cost estimate for your favorite floor plans.  Just send a link to your favorite floor plan(s) from any catalog - contact us here.

Not sure where to start?  Check with us for suggestions for great online catalogs, or a selection of floor plans specifically chosen to meet your needs.   Want some changes?  If your floor plan needs some adaption we'll tell you how we can help, and what moves will save the most. 

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Refreshments will be served.

Read more on these top questions about custom homes in Raleigh, NC: Save Energy, Save Water, Mother-in-Law Suites, ADA and Wheelchair Accessible Homes, Find Out More About Building On Your Lot

Directions to Horizon - 8 Minutes from Chapel Hill

From Chapel Hill, take 15/501 south. Turn right on Hamlet's Chapel Rd, travel one mile. Horizon is on the right. From Pittsboro, take 15/501 north. Just past the Haw River, turn left on Hamlet's Chapel Rd. Travel one mile, Horizon is on the right.

Enter the neighborhood, take the first left.  "Muddy Boots Meet the Builder" is at Lot 58, second home on the right - look for Stanton Homes signs! 

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You may also be interested in:

Jobs in the Raleigh Area

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Which Part of the Triangle is Cheapest to Live?  Property Tax Guide

Update: It's a Done Deal.

Read all about the Tax Credit Extension and Expansion Here!

First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended | Tax Credit Expanded to Additional Homebuyers

Click on the link above to get all the details about the tax credit expansion, and whether or not YOU will qualify.

Beware - this is not a done deal yet.  Based on this story, it looks like the government has made a partial decision on extending the tax credit.  However, even if a bill has passed the Senate, there is a different bill circulating in the House of Representatives.

Once those bills come together, the President still needs to approve it.  Remember that old Sesame Street episode about how a bill becomes a law?

Read carefully! 

Raleigh Custom Home Builder Stanton Homes Recognized for Energy Savings

EnergyWise and Spray Foam Insulation

Stanton Homes was featured on SprayFoam.com for their work with local veterans and military families in combination with EnergyWise guaranteed cost savings and Bayseal Spray Foam Insulation.

Read Full Article Here

Guaranteed $80/Month Heating and Cooling for 2800+ Sq Ft Home

Stanton Homes recently completed a 2800 sq ft one and a half story home in Horizon near Chapel Hill.  With the EnergyWise program, the homeowner was given a written guarantee that heating and cooling costs would not exceed $80 per month! That's about 1/3 of the cost using conventional construction...

"Stanton Homes for Heroes" Continues to Grow

The "Stanton Homes for Heroes" program offers one of the nation's largest military and veteran incentive programs, with significant discounts on new custom homes.  Homes start in the upper $100s, and any floor plan and/or location is eligible. 

"Stanton Homes for Heroes" - Military and Veteran Discount Program

More About Energy Wise

More About Green Home Building

More About Energy Star Homes

Floor Plans to Browse - or contact us about thousands of options available!

Call Stanton Homes at 919-278-8070 for more information on Energy Wise homes in the greater Raleigh Triangle Fort Bragg area.

Geothermal Systems - How Tax Credits Have Made Them Affordable

We get many questions on geothermal systems, particularly from homebuyers interested in a greener approach to their new home.   Top questions include affordability and steps to installation for a geothermal system.

How Much Does a Geothermal System Cost?

A geothermal heating and cooling system in the Triangle area generally starts at about $8,000 per ton, installed.  This compares to a cost of about $2,000 per ton for a traditional HVAC system. 

Example Geothermal System

Just to make the numbers easy, let's look at a 3000 sq ft home.  A 3000 sq ft home generally requires about a 5 ton system.

Traditional HVAC system -

5 tons at $2,000 each

$10,000 for total system - Traditional HVAC

Geothermal Heating and Cooling system -

5 tons at $8,000 each

$40,000 for total system - Geothermal Heating and Cooling

Geothermal Tax Credits

Ok, now we get to look at the tax credits.  Remember, you'll want to consult a tax professional, and you will have to wait to get "refunded" for the tax credits.  But the savings can be significant.

Federal Geothermal Tax Credit

30% of the cost of the Geothermal System, or $12,000 credit.

North Carolina State Geothermal Tax Credit

35% of the cost of the Geothermal System (with a cap of $8400) - $8,400 credit

Progress Energy Credit

$1200 credit

Cost of Geothermal after credits:

Original price tag = $40,000

- $12,000 Federal Tax Credit

- $8400 North Carolina State Tax Credit

- $1200 Progress Energy Credit

= $18,400 total cost. 

Thus after credits, the cost is much closer to a traditional HVAC system.  On average, a geothermal system saves 35% on energy costs for COOLING your home versus a standard HVAC system, and 70% on energy costs for HEATING your home versus a standard HVAC system.

Geothermal can be a great part of building green.  Again, you'll want to talk with your tax professionals about how the tax credits work, but these credits have made a significant difference this year in the total cost of a geothermal system. 

You may also be interested in these popular green building topics:

Green Home Building in the Triangle

What is a Green Home?              

What Is Geothermal?  Geothermal News and Information

Passive Solar Homes and Ideas

Buying a Lot?  Thinking of Building a New Home?

How to Find Out The Cost of Your Septic System

One of the biggest variables in cost for building on your lot can be the cost of the septic system.  How much will your septic system cost in NC?

It depends.  If you're getting a home construction bid, make sure your septic system allowance will be sufficient for the unique requirements of your lot and floor plan. 

Septic System Costs Vary By Lot 

Septic system costs vary widely, depending on soil conditions, size of system, type of system, county requirements, and more.  

A typical septic system in the Raleigh/Triangle area can be anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000, with most conventional or pump systems falling in the middle range. 

What Does "No Perk" Mean?

A special system can run many tens of thousands more - particularly if your lot is rated the dreaded "No Perk", which means the ground is truly not suitable for a septic and many special measures will have to be taken to support one. 

If your lot had a soils test years ago, it may need to be retested.  North Carolina septic and soils requirements have become much more stringent.  Some lots that were approved many years ago may no longer meet the requirements for a standard conventional septic system.  On the bright side, because of these stringent standards you can be confident that your septic system will do its job for many, many years! 

An experienced home builder can look at your septic permit and plot map and give you at least a good idea of what the system is going to cost. 

Here are some of the things the builder will look for to determine septic system cost:

 1.  How large is the septic field? 

The length of pipe required will help determine total cost.

2.   How far from the home is the septic field? 

If more than 100 ft, a backflow preventer will have to be added.

3.  What is the topography of the land? 

A flat, level lot will most likely have lower cost than a lot on a hill.

4.  Is the septic field cleared or densely overgrown? 

The septic field will need to be cleared of brush and of most trees in order for the pipes to be installed.

5.  What depth of soil does your septic permit allow? 

If the nitrification lines cannot be buried deep enough due to soil quality, enough approved soils will have to imported to cover the septic lines.  Add the cost of the soil, plus transportation, and labor for spreading the soil above the septic system field.

6.  Is the system gravity fed or pump fed? 

A pump system will add to the cost.

7.  What type of system has been approved or required?

Has the County approved a standard septic system, or have they required a special system like a panel block system?

8.  Has a basement been requested? 

In this area, most likely an additional pump system will be required, adding at least $3,000 to the building cost. 

Septic systems requirements can vary greatly, even on two adjacent lots.  

But an experienced builder or septic system installer will be able to identify most issues and give a ballpark cost estimate based on seeing the approved septic permit and the plot map of your lot. 

You'll probably want to bring a copy of a floor plan you're considering as well - a basement or a large number of bedrooms can also require changes in the system.    

Writing an Offer 

Remember, you can make an offer contingent on soil suitability.  Talk to your builder about getting a soils test and obtaining information about the type of system required. 

You may also be interested in:

Green Home Building in the Triangle

What is a Green Home?

What Is Geothermal?  Geothermal News and Information

Passive Solar Homes and Ideas

Top 5 Articles - Stanton Homes Favorites!  

Thinking of building or buying a new home?  Check out the top 5 hottest topics for home buyers!

The things that matter most to today's home buyers can be found in the Stanton Home articles requested and read most often. Take a look at the top 5 most popular topics we're seeing in today's home building market.

New Home Trend #1: Types of Ceilings

Learn basic definitions for all kinds of ceiling treatments commonly found in custom homes, starting in very affordable price points.

New Home Trend #2:  Building an "In Law Suite" Home

Mom wants to live with you?  Not a problem!  There's plenty of space in mother in law suite homes designed or modified by Stanton Homes. 

New Home Trend #3:  Wood or Concrete Front Porch, Which is Better?

Front porches are very popular features for custom homes.  The "wood or concrete" debate keeps getting attention - which one is your favorite?

New Home Trend #4:  Comparing Cost of Main Floor Master Suite Homes

More and more homeowners are thinking ahead to retirement, or simply looking to avoid stairs.  Find out how a first floor master bedroom affects the cost of your new home.

New Home Trend #5:  Grey Water Systems - How They Work  

I was surprised to see this as one of the top topics, but the interest in green building continues to grow. 

Energy Wise is another growing trend - we've just completed a 2800+ sq ft home that GUARANTEES a monthly heating and cooling cost of only $80, about 35% of typical cost!!!

Don't see your favorite topic?  Let us know - we're working on more educational articles all the time!

Contact us with questions about building or buying your new custom home in North Carolina.

Or sign up for our monthly newsletter for more great tips on new home trends and ideas, with a special focus on the Raleigh NC area.

Other recent articles you may be interested in:

Butlers Pantries - Why You've Gotta Have One (and what is a butler's pantry, anyway?)

Fireplace Surrounds - Types and Trends

Meet the Builder Special Event

5 Easy Steps to Buying a Lot or Land

Top 10 Master Bath Trends 

Stanton Homes completes first green-conscious home

in new Horizon neighborhood

2800 square feet of living area with guaranteed $80 per month heating and cooling costs

Custom home builder Stanton Homes celebrates the completion of its first Energy Wise home in the Horizon neighborhood, with the next already breaking ground in this new community just south of Chapel Hill.

Energy Wise comes with a written guarantee of heating and cooling costs. 

The custom home just completed offers over 2800 square feet - with a guaranteed average heating and cooling cost of no more than $80 per month! 

"We get excited every time we build an Energy Wise home, said Stan Williams, CEO of Stanton Homes.

"And we're especially pleased to bring Energy Wise homes to Horizon. The location is fantastic, the environment is private and comfortable, the trees are beautiful; it's a perfect setting for a green conscious home and we're thrilled to be able to lead the community with a home that combines both artistic personality and the sensibility of Energy Wise construction."

The heating and cooling costs guaranteed by Energy Wise for this home offer a 65% savings over what they could cost in the same home, if standard construction had been utilized.

The Energy Wise program offers 50-70% heating and cooling savings for homes built with this system.

Energy Wise uses a systems approach to heating and cooling a home based on blueprints, window sizes and types, and room dimensions. 

The HVAC system is precisely calculated, and spray foam insulation is used to fill every crack and crevice, followed by extensive caulking to prevent any air leakage. 

"Today's ecology-minded buyers are telling us that their first concern is the environment, followed by the growing cost of energy," said Williams. 

"When they find out that an Energy Wise home offers a written guarantee of 50-70% cost savings on heating and cooling over any standard home, while using fewer natural resources, it's a no-brainer.  They're even more excited when they find out Energy Wise homes don't have to be at the high end of affordability - Stanton Homes is putting together Energy Wise packages for homes starting in the $200s." 

Stanton Homes is one of only a few home builders in partnership with Healthy Home Insulation to provide Energy Wise guaranteed heating and cooling in affordable new homes throughout the Triangle region and beyond. 

"Energy Wise and spray foam insulation is an extremely viable solution to alleviating our dependence on fossil fuel, while improving our health and protecting the environment for future generations," said Tu Nguyen, CEO of Healthy Home Insulation. "We're pleased to be working with Stanton Homes to bring this kind of value to home owners."

The Energy Wise guarantee package is available as an option in any home in the Horizon neighborhood, as well as any Stanton Homes custom home when implemented at the planning stages. 

Horizon offers 38 total lots in Phase 1, ranging from 1 to 2.3 acres. 

Just 8 miles south of Chapel Hill, Horizon is a wooded acreage community a mile off 15/501, and minutes from shopping, UNC Medical Center, UNC Chapel Hill.  Horizon offers a blend of city and country amenities - with low county taxes. 

"Energy Wise is an excellent choice for anyone looking to save on energy costs while enjoying a cleaner, tighter, more comfortable home," said Williams. 

"Based on the tremendous increase in requests over the past months, we're anticipating that this is the kind of home we'll be building a lot more of - in Horizon, as well as all across the Triangle and beyond."

You may also be interested in these popular green building topics:

Green Home Building in the Triangle

What is a Green Home?

What Is Geothermal?  Geothermal News and Information

Passive Solar Homes and Ideas

MetLife Home Loans' Raleigh Branch Joins Stanton Homes® for Heroes

to Offer New Discount for Military and Veteran homebuyers

Stanton Homes announces that leading home lender MetLife Home Loans has agreed to participate in the "Stanton Homes® for Heroes" program, working to provide even more home building value for people who have served in the U.S. military.

"As a member of the MetLife family, MetLife Home Loans is a name you know and trust," said Stan Williams, CEO of Stanton Homes. "Their participation will help ensure that military home buyers are lined up with every possible advantage through our ‘Stanton Homes® for Heroesprogram."

"MetLife Home Loans is committed to providing our customers with the best possible product to suit their individual needs," said Brent Kappler, Raleigh-Builder Branch Manager, MetLife Home Loans. "We have a strong commitment, not only to our individual customers, but to local businesses as well, which is why we're proud to be teaming up with Stanton Homes as a preferred lender."

With the addition of MetLife Home Loans, the nationally-acclaimed "Stanton Homes® for Heroes" incentive program continues to grow stronger. 

"We're pleased to be able to save military families thousands of dollars off the cost of their new home," said Williams. "It all adds up - starting with our Stanton Homes discount, around $10,000 for most homes. From there, the cost just keeps going down, from closing cost discounts to a huge variety of exceptional pricing for many of the amenities we build into our homes."

"As an eight-year military veteran in the U.S. Army, I know first-hand the sacrifice our military men and women make to serve and defend this great country of ours," said Kappler. "I'm proud of my military service and I'm proud of the men and women who serve, as well. That's why I'm pleased to be able to offer a significant discount in closing costs to military personnel that build with Stanton Homes and obtain financing through MetLife Home Loans".  

The "Stanton Homes® for Heroes" discount program is available on any new Stanton Homes custom-built home in North Carolina's Research Park Triangle and surrounding regions, for all veterans, retired, and active duty military, including all branches of the Armed Forces, Reserves, and National Guard, who have served honorably for at least one year. Any Stanton Home may be purchased through the program, whether complete, under construction, or custom designed on a Stanton Homes lot or the buyer's. 

"MetLife Home Loans has a variety of products to offer our customers, from specific builder products, construction loans, to 100% VA fixed loans," said Kappler. "You've served your country, now let us be of service to you."

Stanton Homes. Building Exceptional Living Experiences  http://www.StantonHomes.com 919-278-8080

Stanton Homes builds throughout the Raleigh/Fort Bragg area of North Carolina. 

MetLife Home Loans and Stanton Homes are not affiliated.

Mortgage Financing provided by MetLife Home Loans, a division of MetLife Bank, N.A., Equal Housing Lender.

You may also be interested in:

Jobs in the Raleigh Area

Triangle Area Market Reports - How's The Real Estate Market in Raleigh?

Shopping in the Raleigh Area - What Kind of Shopping Is There?

Raleigh Relocation Package - All About the Raleigh Area!

Which Part of the Triangle is Cheapest to Live?  Property Tax Guide