Getting your player ready...
If you’re out wandering the Parade of Homes today, Meritage Homes has cooked up three reasons to include two super-energy-efficient models at Sorrell Ranch on your tour, near Southlands Shopping Center. Come by and you’ll get to join in a free barbecue, with a bluegrass group and a chance to win a 6-x-6-foot custom playhouse (your kids can walk in for a look) in exchange for a $5 contribution to Make-a-Wish.
You’ll also get to see what’s likely the most educational exhibit in the Parade – Meritage’s new ‘Salida’ 3-bedroom-plus-loft model, with a bedroom level that’s been ‘deconstructed’ to show you how much difference it makes to buy a new home with state-of-the-art energy features, as opposed to some bargain-priced foreclosure or short sale.
“People shop for homes for lifestyle, not or energy efficiency,” says Craig Dunkelberger, who’ll be there along with Cary Garner. “What we’ll show you is a home that has the sizzle of a luxury car, but that will be saving money like a Prius for as long as you own the home.”
How much difference in affordability is there in a house that really saves energy? Meritage’s national environmental expert C.R. Herro will be there today to spell that out: Meritage’s models get HERS scores of around 60 (lower score is better), as opposed to 130 or so for a typical house built six or seven years ago…around 40% better than even a NEW house built to code. In the ‘Salida’ (it’s Meritage’s fastest seller) you’ll look right through the wall to see the complete wrap of spray foam – delivering better insulation, but also sound reduction and health benefits from much lower air exchange (Meritage uses an electronic filter to clean outdoor air, along with two furnaces for zone efficiency, and water-savings from high-tech irrigation).
You can also see a few homes that can deliver in time for fall at Sorrell Ranch’s walk-to Cherry Creek elementary school…including a ‘Cascade’ ranch on Alamo Drive, 1,178 square feet plus a walk-out basement, at a special Parade of Homes price: $315,000. Other homes are priced from the $250s – that large Salida 3-or-4 bedroom from $275,990. All are a mile north of Southlands with its Main Street shopping/dining district; and are close to Aurora Reservoir, wrapped by eight miles of trail and a city beach park.
That playhouse — tall enough that Meritage’s Marketing Specialist Cortney Ridens stands up inside — goes to some family visiting before Sept. 6. Take Smoky Hill just east of 470 and Southlands, then turn north on Aurora Parkway, 1.4 mi. to Alexander. Turn east to De Gaulle.
If you go…
WHERE: Special Parade-of-Homes event, Meritage Homes at Sorrel Ranch, 2 new models including ‘energy-deconstructed’ model; walk-out ranch for quick delivery, free barbecue, music today, $5 raffle for custom playhouse, benefits Make-a-Wish. 5659 S. Elk Court, Aurora; take Smoky Hill east past 470, ½ mile to S. Aurora Pkwy; left (north) 1.4 mi. to Alexander; then east 1/2 mi. to De Gaulle, right.
PRICE: From $255,990
WHEN: Today 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 11-6 Sunday
PHONE: 303-406-4360 WEB: MeritageHomes.com
Mark Samuelson is president of Samuelson & Associates, a homebuilding/real estate communications firm. You can e-mail him at mark@samuelsonassoc.com.
