Getting your player ready...
You very likely can’t find a ‘greener’ new home than two models that Meritage Homes is grand-opening today at Canterberry Crossing, near Black Bear Golf Club in Parker…certainly not at prices that average families can afford to buy. To prove the point, Meritage has created one of its Canterberry Crossing models as a ‘Green Learning Center’ with an upstairs that has the master suite completely decorated, but other bedrooms “de-constructed” to let you see behind the walls to where you’re getting features other homes just don’t have.
“We get some families who follow us just for our green features, who are totally into green building,” says Meritage’s Brian Latta. “For other people it’s a learning curve; but these features are the same as cell phones were. Soon they’re going to be on the ‘I gotta have it’ list.” He’ll show you some fun exhibits, but also a platter of subs and drinks from Firehouse Subs in Parker, just for coming by.
How efficient are Meritage’s homes, priced from $229,990? Both models you’ll tour received HERS scores last week of 63, tested by independent raters. That’s about 50% off your energy bill from an ‘energy efficient’ house built ten years ago – way, way better than older homes 20 years old. Meritage’s designs are not only Energy Star qualified; but Meritage was chosen for an E-Star ‘Partner of the Year’ award for 2011.
How do they get a home to that level at prices in the mid-to-upper $200s? You’ll see spray foam insulation in outside walls and roof joists – a strategy that keeps attic temperatures 38 degrees warmer on a winter night than a pink-batt ceiling will (much better at reducing air infiltration and outside noise; a working exhibit shows the difference). Meritage delivers better appliances, programmable thermostats, double low-e vinyl windows, weather-smart irrigation and other water conservation features.
The neighborhood will be only 38 sites at build-out (Meritage includes a big porch on even its ranch plan, Latta says, to facilitate neighborly interaction), in an established area where most houses are built and the trees have grown. Canterberry has 59 acres of parks and trails and a pool…delivered at an HOA of $55-a-month; and don’t forget private Black Bear course, known as a tough round of golf. To reach Canterberry Crossing take Mainstreet east from Parker Road through Old Town, continue east on Main two miles to Canterberry Parkway, then south two blocks to the light at Canterberry Trail and east to Holly Hills Way.
If you go…
WHERE: Grand opening, Meritage Homes at Canterberry Crossing, 2 models, ‘energy-deconstructed’ home, 2-to-5 bed, ranch plan; giveaways, free Firehouse Subs today. Canterberry Trail at Holly Hills Way, Parker; take Parker Rd. south to Mainstreet in Parker, east 0.5 mi. to circle and continue east on Main 1.6 mi. to Canterberry Pkwy; south 0.2 mi. to first light at Canterberry Trail, left (east) 1 mi. to Holly Hills Way.
PRICE: From $229,990
WHEN: Today 11 a.m.-6 p.m., daily 10-6
PHONE: 303-406-4350 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.
