Green Living: It’s Never Too Late to Start

Did you know that 85% of total U.S. greenhouse emissions are energy related?  The choices we make today will affect the amount of greenhouse gases we put in the atmosphere in the near future and for years to come. At Ashton Woods, we are dedicated to providing our buyers with features in their homes that help offset and eliminate greenhouse emissions. We are proud of our commitment to the environment and thought we would share some tips on bringing green living into your home.

1. Think Green From The Start

• Certain programs, such as Environments for Living (EFL), which all Ashton Woods Homes are built in accordance to, feature standardized energy efficient options that can save homeowners as much as 45% a year on utility bills – Ashton Woods is the ONLY builder to nationally utilize the EFL Platinum Program.
• In addition, the Powerhouse Green Home Energy Program, also utilized by Ashton Woods, aims to reduce overall energy costs in single-family homes and townhouses.
  
• Ashton Woods Homeowners can save as much as $3,816 in utility costs on average per year. Not only is that a great way to help the environment, but it’s a great way to put “green” back in your pocket. To find out how much you can save with an Ashton Woods home, try the Energy Performance Savings Calculator.

2. Reduce Overall Energy Consumption

• Install additional features that will contribute to energy savings on a daily basis. For example, try purchasing LED light bulbs or WaterSense shower-heads and faucet aerators.
• Think smart! Turn off lights when you leave the room and unplug electronics when they are not in use. These “Vampire Watts” can account for 10% of your yearly electricity bill.

3. Decorate And Clean With Green Products

• There are now a variety of low toxic, organic paint and cleaning options available when decorating your home. Eliminating potentially harmful additives from your home will result in a healthier and happier environment for your family.
  

  Did you know? The average adult spends more than 80% of their time indoors. Having high quality air is important to maintaining good health.

• Recycle! Re-purpose furniture and find eclectic used hardware at antique shops or flea markets. Buying antiques is a simple way of decorating green—salvaged items can add a certain charm to any room.
• Shop Local—Finding a community with convenience to a variety of restaurants and shops is key—now there is no excuse not to shop around at your favorite local spots. (You can also help lower gas emissions by reducing driving time!)

  

  Green living can not only save you thousands of dollars in utility charges, but it will also make your home a healthy environment for all who live there. Ashton Woods’ commitment to green living offers its residents the infrastructure, appliances and tools necessary to lead a sustainable lifestyle. That’s Green Living that helps you and the planet.

 

Glenlake Gardens, in Raleigh, is an ideal location for those who value convenience—just 1.4 miles from Crabtree Valley Mall and only a short drive away from downtown.

Ashton Woods Homes Completes Leesville Crest Model Home

RALEIGH, N.C. – Ashton Woods Homes, an award-winning national private home builder, has announced the completion of its model home within its Leesville Crest neighborhood in North Raleigh. The 4,950-square-foot home, located at 6637 Rest Haven Drive, includes four bedrooms, four and a half baths, a covered patio with an outdoor kitchen and fireplace, first-floor in-law quarters with spacious living space, second-floor game room with full kitchen, an outdoor living area with pool, a gourmet kitchen, and a three-car garage. The rear of the home is also flanked with a NanaWall® that provides a sliding glass opening overlooking the homes infinity edge pool. It is equipped with Jenn-Air appliances and is Environments for Living and ENERGY STAR® certified, meaning the home is designed and built to standards well above traditional requirements, delivering energy efficiency savings up to 30 percent compared to typical new homes. This home will serve as the model for the Leesville Crest neighborhood, as well as the main base for Ashton Woods Homes’ North Wake estates portfolio, including its Rose Hall neighborhood. The grand opening for the Leesville Crest model home will take place sometime in mid-January.

The Leesville Crest neighborhood is located in the heart of North Raleigh, just minutes by vehicle from major shopping, businesses, schools and health care facilities. The spacious land and home areas provide a secluded, lavish outdoor living environment while offering convenient access to nearby modern conveniences. The homes lie within the well-respected Wake County Public School System, less than seven miles from three major medical facilities and 14 miles from the Research Triangle Park. Leesville Crest, with prices ranging from the mid $400s to the high $500s, offers floor plans ranging from to 3,529 to 5,077 square-feet.

Since entering the North Carolina market, Ashton Woods Homes has met the Department of Energy Builder Challenge for its dedication to building energy efficient homes, was featured in the Builder 100 Private Top 10 list for two years in a row and was ranked 15 among the top 25 local residential home builders by Triangle Business Journal. The firm’s commitment to green building and design, affordable living options and high quality construction have all been key factors in the company’s tremendous success since it broke ground on its first Raleigh neighborhood in 2010.
“The Raleigh area is experiencing a tremendous uptick in residential building in order to meet the needs of the fast growing population,” said Hampton Pitts, division vice president of Ashton Woods Homes in Raleigh. “Ashton Woods Homes is proud to expand its residential neighborhood presence in Raleigh by offering affordable, beautiful and energy-efficient homes in its new Leesville Crest neighborhood. This neighborhood speaks directly to the four cornerstones of our foundation: location, design, quality and service. It is our hope that this new model will serve as the hub for the company’s North Wake estates portfolio and provide potential homeowners with a central location to better serve their building and design needs.”

Ashton Woods Homes Sells Final Home In First Raleigh Neighborhood

RALEIGH, N.C. – Ashton Woods Homes, an award-winning national private home builder, has announced the selling of its final home, the model, in its Chessington neighborhood. Selling the Chessington model home marks the completion of the first neighborhood Ashton Woods Homes built in the Triangle. Its Grace Park neighborhood in Morrisville, built shortly after Chessington, sold out in April.

With its first Raleigh neighborhood groundbreaking in 2010, Ashton Woods Homes has rapidly expanded throughout the Triangle. Now, the company has established a strong presence in the Triangle with neighborhoods across Raleigh, Cary, Morrisville, Durham and Apex. The environmentally and utility friendly homes aim to serve the environment and residents’ budgets without sacrificing style, while effectively balancing a healthy and energy efficient home. Ashton Woods Homes offers a variety of living styles, and each floor plan is unique and specially designed with the buyer’s interests in mind. The fact that two of its neighborhoods have been completely sold out in just two years speaks to the company’s success and popularity throughout the Triangle as well as the uptick in residential building taking place locally. Since entering the North Carolina market, Ashton Woods Homes has met the Department of Energy Builder Challenge for construction of energy efficient homes, was featured in the Builder 100 Private Top 10 list for two years in a row and was ranked 15 among the top 25 local residential home builders by Triangle Business Journal.

“The selling of the final home in Chessington is not only a wonderful accomplishment for Ashton Woods Homes, but it is also a great indicator of overall residential growth in the greater Triangle community,” said Rebecca McAdoo, director of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes in Raleigh. “Neighborhoods such as Chessington selling at a rapid pace are a clear indicator that the Triangle’s residential housing market is beginning to be as strong as it once was years ago.”

Ashton Woods Homes Wins Parade of Homes Silver Award

RALEIGH, N.C. – Ashton Woods Homes, an award-winning national private home builder, has announced its Kinsley model in Pemberley Townes in Apex, N.C., received a silver award at the 2012 Parade of Homes, an annual event hosted by the Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County. Pemberley, located just minutes off N.C. 55, includes a number of private amenities such as a private zero entry neighborhood pool and cabana, playground, and open community park. The homes are ENERGY STAR® certified and uniquely designed, and the community is conveniently located near many major shopping centers, workplaces and highly-ranked Wake County schools. The Kinsley model, priced at $190,400 at 1,892 square feet, offers a covered porch with an optional patio and fireplace, two and a half baths, three bedrooms, and a one-car garage, and is available for sale.

The 47th annual Parade of Homes showcased more than 200 new homes in the Triangle for three weekends, Sept. 29-30, Oct. 5-7 and Oct. 12-14. Organized annually by the Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County, the Parade of Homes event offers potential home buyers the opportunity to view the latest in floor plans, designs and technological innovations in homes built by local residential builders. All participating homes were open to the public and judged by a panel of individuals from different builder-related fields across the Southeast. Winners were announced at a gala held Oct. 9. For a complete listing of this year’s entries, visit http://www.paradeofhomeswake.com/.

“We are extremely honored to be recognized by one of the most prestigious home tour awards in the country,” said Rebecca McAdoo, director of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes in Raleigh. “Ashton Woods Homes is committed to making our homes energy efficient, affordable and of high quality, and we are proud to have the opportunity to showcase some of the work we have completed in the community as part of our ongoing commitment in supporting our area’s growing residential housing industry. Our company prides itself on building homes with the needs of today’s buyers in mind, which is why the Kinsley model works so well and is so popular among potential consumers.”

Survey Ranks Ashton Woods Homes- Raleigh Among Top Residential Builders

RALEIGH, N.C. – Ashton Woods Homes, an award-winning national private home builder, has announced that the company has been ranked among the Triangle area’s top 15 residential builders by Triangle Business Journal. The rankings, which were based on dollar volume of Triangle contracts closed in 2011, listed Ashton Woods Homes as having earned $16,299,000 for its work on 51 completed homes. Ashton Woods Homes was ranked No. 15 among the top 25 local residential home builders featured on this year’s list.

“Since coming to the Triangle in 2010, Ashton Woods Homes has seen tremendous expansion in this growing region,” said Hampton Pitts, executive vice president of Ashton Woods Homes. “Landing among the top 15 in the Triangle Business Journal’s Top Residential Builders list is an incredible honor and a testament to the firm’s great accomplishments this past year. On behalf of the company and its Triangle employees, I am very proud of Ashton Woods Homes’ remarkable success and look forward to another year of extreme growth and development.”

Welcome to Pemberley… our newest community located in Apex, NC!

Ashton Woods Homes (http://www.ashtonwoodshomes.com), an award-winning national private home builder, held a grand opening in late July for Pemberley, a new residential community located just off of NC Highway 55 in Apex. Pemberley offers three different product lines – single-family homes starting from the $230s, townhomes from the $130s and one-car garage townhomes from the $160s – with a wide variety of floor plans for buyers to choose from. The community will feature a private swimming pool and cabana and residents can already enjoy the Pemberley neighborhood park complete with benches and seating perfect for an afternoon picnic. The neighborhood offers easy access to all points in the Triangle, including all major business parks, shopping and dining. All homes in Pemberley qualify for the ENERGY STAR^® label, signifying they are substantially more energy efficient than homes built to the minimum code of requirements. In accordance with Ashton Woods Homes’ commitment to green building and design, each home is built to help homeowners save as much as 45 percent a year on utility payments.

More than 200 people came to celebrate Pemberley’s grand opening and enjoyed delicious free food, fun family entertainment and door prizes. The event included a food truck rodeo featuring American Meltdown, the area’s only gourmet sandwich melts food truck, Chirba Chirba Dumpling, a food truck specializing in Asian cuisine, and Cold Stone Creamery ice cream. Throughout the grand opening, onsite agents Diana Driscoll and Stephanie Vickery hosted private tours to the neighborhood’s model home.

“The Apex community is growing fast and is building a strong presence in the Triangle,” said Rebecca McAdoo, director of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes in Raleigh. “We are so pleased to announce the grand opening of the Pemberley community. The homes in this beautiful neighborhood are truly designed utilizing the most innovative floor plans and fantastic finishes, and we are confident that the residents will enjoy the location as well as the various neighborhood amenities.”

For more information about Pemberley, please visit our website or call 919.447.0860.