If you are house hunting, and you came across a home-built to be warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer and more comfortable all year round, and this home could actually help reduce your energy use up to 30%, and even provided a healthier environment for you and your kids, and it was just the right size and in the perfect location, then your ideal home would be an ENERGY STAR Qualified home.

To earn the ENERGY STAR for new homes status, builders select from an array of possible improvements thought out their new homes. Homes can earn the ENERGY STAR for new homes label only after a neutral 3rd party verification. Independent certified Energy Evaluators conduct on-site testing and inspections to verify that the homes qualify. Invisible to the naked eye, most ENERGY STAR qualified home improvements are hidden "under the skin" of your new home. The specifications that have to be met to earn the ENERGY STAR for new home label fall into two main categories. 1) Improvements to the envelope. 2) A better mechanical systems.

What is the "envelope” you ask, well it’s the walls, insulation, roofing, windows and doors from your home. A tighter envelope yields a more comfortable more energy efficient structure. Properly installed, climate-temperatures remain steady throughout the house and throughout the seasons. Energy efficient windows available today are vastly superior to what has been used historically. Protective coating or argon gas between the panes and improved frame assembles all combine to create a technologically superior product that helps keep heat in the winter and keep heat out in the summer. This also protects carpets, upholstery and artwork from be damaged by filtering the sun's destructive UV rays. Windows add a lot to the beauty and character of a home and they can do so much more with a little technology applied. Benefits of a green home are numerous.

One of the secrets of an energy efficient home is to minimize the possibility that air (which has already been either heated or cooled) will leak out through unseen openings. Sealing holes and crakes in the homes "envelope" and in duct systems helps reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, and noise. A tightly sealed home improves comfort and indoor air quality while reducing utility bills.

Better and more energy efficient appliances, lighting, heating, and ventilation make for a more comfortable and less costly home. ENERGY STAR qualified homes employ some of the most efficient systems on the market. High efficiency heating systems and modern water heater do an amazing job of reducing energy waste from your home's biggest energy consumer. New technology heating systems are powerful, quiet and durable. The new heating systems burn fuel more efficiently producing a small fraction of the greenhouse gases that older models produced. ENERGY STAR qualified products like, lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, ventilation fans, refrigerators, dish washers, and washing machines all provide additional energy saving to the homeowner. Look for the ENERGY STAR on qualified products when selecting items for your new home.

Determine to set a new standard of GREEN in the realm of multiple high rises constriction, Oslo, a Homburg Centron new condiminium community in Calgary, strives for a level of luxury through numerous Built Green incentives currently unequaled in the city of Calgary. Making it easy to indulge your desire and treat the earth more kindly all at the same time.

Located in the vivacious heart of Calgary, Oslo puts you in the cultural centre of the city with shopping, dining, and entertainment right outside your door. Live the perfect balance of work and play. Blocks from 17th Avenues boutiques, lounges, and restaurants and just step away from the fine art galleries of the design district. Minutes to work and the scenic Bow River Pathway, you will stay connected as you want to be and as individual as you are. You’ll find balance at Oslo.

Welcome to a fresh approach to inner-city new condominium living that Oslo provides with its sweeping city views in a modern setting, street level shopping at the Shops at Kai Towers, exceptional dining at Redwater Rustic Grill, and lush landscaped green spaces. Seamlessly blending into the colorful urban landscaping, Oslo brings the soul of the earth into new condo living. Oslo is committed to giving back through responsible building methods, energy saving features and sustainable design.

When the search is on for a new home, some first-time buyers find it to be a daunting task. After all, with nearly 80% of home searches beginning on the Internet, many people simply don’t know where to begin. Truth be told, this can actually be to your advantage. Whether you stay within one comprehensive homebuyer site – or, find yourself navigating through scores of online listings – you are likely to encounter a number of properties that pique your interest.

The only pitfall to searching for a home online is that many prospective buyers manage to lose their favorite listings. How does this happen? The same way that surfing the net for any type of information can result in wasted time. By clicking further and further away from the pages you want to remember, you can water down your search and end up with an exercise in futility.

Fortunately, it’s also just as easy to avoid this trap. The best preventive measure for searching new homes for sale is to bookmark the pages you wish to come back to. Sure, you’ll extend your browser’s “favorites” list; but, the valuable information for the homes that excite you (such as addresses, photos, and agent contacts), will remain right at your disposal.

Of course, your next step will be to contact listing agents for the homes that you want to view in person. But with all those pages bookmarked, where should you start? One way to go is by categorizing your favorites into groups, based on your personal criteria: For example, List A may be comprised of homes within your top location choice; while List B can contain homes with the features you desire the most (swimming pools, double fireplaces, or sunken tubs). Breaking the lists up into groups can streamline the walk-through process, and ensure that you have the opportunity to see the homes you truly want to see – because you wisely selected them yourself. 

The Jones Company makes going green easy with no added expense to you and without sacrificing comfort in your new home. The Jones Company is building new homes with the green investment to conserve resources, reduce waste, promote energy and water efficiency, and improve indoor environment quality so that our world as a whole can benefit. The Jones Company is the only homebuilder in Middle Tennessee who has made these extensive efforts to build all their new homes and new community to the standards set by the NAHB National Green Building Program and ENERGY STAR®.

The Jones Company has over 80 years of new home value and Innovative home designs. This Nashville new home builder was founded by John E. Jones of St. Louis in 1927, and recently celebrated its 80th Anniversary. His son, Robert (Bob) Jones, bought the company in 1964 and led the company to great success. The company has been family owned and operated since its inception.

The Jones Company offers a variety of home collections in all price ranges to meet the diverse lifestyle needs. Starting with the $200,000 "first move up" home to homes in excess of $600,000. The Jones Company is known in the homebuilding industry as "the value leader." The company's in-house architectural department strives to provide the best value to new home buyers. It is for this reason that many customers purchase two, three and even four Jones homes over their lifetime.

The company is proud to have a history of community involvement in the markets that they serve. The Jones Company has been involved in Habitat for Humanity and the YMCA Auction House. In Nashville, The Jones Company participated in both the actual building of the House for Hope and has solicited materials from suppliers for the project. Over $130,000 has been raised for children's charities during the past few years. You can make a global impact when you purchase a Green Jones Home. 

The Jones Company is offering new communities in Nashville that have new green homes for sale. Like the new community Berry Hill Villas, which offers a low-maintenance living and a collection of new homes that are designed to be spacious, luxurious, carefree and private! Or Lakeside Meadows located in Hermitage, Lakeside Meadows is a lovely community that allows you to live in a peaceful, country-like setting, yet be just minutes away from downtown Nashville. There is even a master-planned new community for sale named Kelsey Glen, which is located in Mt. Juliet, just off of Old Lebanon Dirt Road, that includes 532 total homes and features three different home styles. The Jones Company as something for everyone. Come see what they have for you.
 

Ryan Homes has spent the past 60 years building exceptional, award-winning homes, one home at a time.  What began in 1948 as a small family-run business in Pittsburgh has now developed into one of the top 10 builders in the nation. Today, Ryan Homes builds new homes in 18 metropolitan areas in 11 eastern states. They’re a member of the NVR family, a home builder group that includes NVHomes, Fox Ridge Homes, Rymarc Homes and NVR Mortgage.

What is the secret to Ryan Homes’ success? An excellent customer service program, award-winning designs, quality in construction, affordable prices, and unique new communities in prime locations. That’s why nearly 40% of the homes Ryan Homes sells are a direct result of customer referrals. From the first time buyer, to the move up buyer, and to the empty nester, buyers of all ages and stages of life can find exactly what they are looking for in a Ryan Home.

Ryan Homes floorplans include single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums. Part of what makes Ryan Homes different is their unwavering commitment to the building process of your new home. Not just building homes, but building trust and a peace of mind. Ryan Homes employees have a passion for what they do and the homebuyers that they work with. With encourage they guide their customers throughout the entire homebuilding process, from well before the concrete is poured until long after move-in day. Your home is very important to you, so it’s also important to be very important to the builder.

Ryan has built over 300,000 homes over the past 60 years in new communities in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. Perhaps though the most important difference Ryan Homes is the extraordinary quality that becomes evident when you look a little closer and notice the rich character, the meticulous attention to detail, and the exceptional craftsmanship that is put into each home for sale. Chances are, before that first visit is over, you’ll finally understand what people mean when they say, “When you find the right home, you just know.”

Rising above the Rideau River with panoramic views of Ottawa, the Riverside Gate new condo development is an architectural masterpiece that is defining itself as the premier address for luxury condominium living. Riverside Gate is a new lifestyle of elegance and uncompromised living in a natural setting. Entertain guests, attend the theatre, enjoy a round of golf or simply appreciate the beauty of the five acres of landscaped property overlooking the Rideau River.

The finishing touches are what separate Riverside Gate from other new condos. Where considered expensive upgrades elsewhere, Riverside Gate considered standard like the kitchen cabinetry, granite countertops, hardwood floors, marble bathrooms, nine-foot ceilings and panoramic view of the city and Rideau River.

Situated on five beautiful acres of property and backing on to the scenic Rideau River, Riverside Gate is a touch of paradise, a private haven within the city. Lushly landscaped grounds, full of perennials and mature trees surround the building, and a distinctive entranceway. Just steps from the front entrance to Riverside Gate is a shopping plaza built exclusively for the residents of Riverside Gate. It is leased with shops and services specially selected to meet the day to day needs of residents.

For those who lead an active life, Riverside Gate is the place to be. Venture out on the Rideau River for a canoe or kayak trip, swim a few laps in the large indoor swimming pool, enjoy a match on the outdoor tennis courts, relax in the wet sauna or hike on the many nature trails close by. For those who love to work out, you'll fall in love with the incredible workout facility with a high-tech, hotel-quality fitness centre with several exercise machines that feature TV screens so you can watch your favorite program or DVD.

Wagner Trace new homes offers features with inviting landscaped entry surrounded by gently rolling topography that creates a dramatic impression every time you enter. Through a wide assortment of floor plans and custom selections, Wagner Trace new community offers an attractive, diverse streetscape.  Located in Beavercreek, commuting is a breeze with quick access to all major highways and located just minutes from the Greene, Beavercreek’s newest shopping, fine dining and entertainment center.

Floorplans include up to 5 bedrooms, 2-3 car garage, landscaped entrance monument and sidewalks throughout with private wooded cul-de-sac home sites available.

The Victoria is one of Ryan’s Homes best selling model new home, because it creates a timeless elegance appearance while maintaining today’s active lifestyles needs. The moment you enter the Victoria, you know you’ve arrived to something incredible. An impressive two-story foyer with cascading waterfall stairs features a clear view of the family room and a view of the rear yard. The generous kitchen features an island, large pantry and a planning desk. The laundry room can be expanded to accommodate hobbies and storage and an optional home office, so you can work at home. Upstairs, the owner’s suite includes a vast walk-in closet and dual vanities. The Victoria features four large bedrooms, a two-car garage and an unfinished lower level.

For directions to Wagner Trace new homes for sale, I-675 to North Fairfield Road Exit (exit 17). South on North Fairfield Road to right on Kemp Road. Community is approximately 2 miles on the left.

Provence, a Cumming new community for sale by Peachtree Residential, is a neighborhood of just over 200 majestic single-family new homes North of Atlanta is poised to inspire you with its inspiration of a picturesque region in the South of France where sunny days and blue velvet skies motivated the paintings of artists such as Van Gogh and Cezanne. Three lighted tennis courts with pavilion, a junior Olympic Swimming Pool with a cabana, a recreation field, a playground, and ideal South Forsyth location just minutes from GA 400 makes Provence well know new community.

Located in Cumming, Forsyth County, GA. alongside Georgia’s beautiful Lake Lanier a wide variety of recreational activities are available and affordable rights outside your front door.

The tourism industry is a large source of business revenue in Cumming because Lake Lanier attracts more than 7.5 million travelers every year. According to cumming.com, between 2000 and 2007, property values in Cumming esteemed by an average of 60% and Forsyth County was ranked as the fastest growing county in Georgia, and Cumming was ranked as one of the top 10 fastest growing cities in America. One popular residential development in Cumming is golf themed communities. where residents have recreational amenities like that of Provence community as to offer. With the excellent public school system provided by Forsyth County and the multitude of recreational sports activities that are available in Cumming, Cumming has become one of the most popular places to live in northern Georgia.

With all this in mind Peachtree Residential built Provence new community in this prime location. Offering luxurious new homes with 3-5 bedrooms, 2.5-5 bathrooms, 2,729 - 5,119 sq. ft. starting in the $300’s. To visit Provence and all that these new homes for sale in Cumming has to offer visit Sunday & Monday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. or Tuesday – Saturday from 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.  Take GA 400 to Exit 12 (McFarland Rd.). Go right (east) 0.6 miles to Shiloh Rd. and make a left. Travel 1.8 miles to Stoney Point Rd. and make a left. Provence will be ½ mile on the left.

M/I Homes at Potomac Club offers innovative and well-designed condominium floorplans in a community designed for the busy professional. Located nearby to the Potomac Town Center, this controlled-access new community for slae boasts an impressive clubhouse and is truly an all-inclusive community in a great location! 

Potomac Club is conveniently located to Leesylvania State Park, a surprisingly diverse suburban park situated right on the Potomac River. Leesylvania State Park offers an easy get away for recreational opportunities for hiking, fishing, family gatherings and wildlife enjoyment. The park is located on a quite historical parcel of land and offers historical trails that tell the story of the park's previous residents. Leesylvania State Park also has a very popular boat ramp accessible to Prince William Marina. Also nearby is the National Museum of the Marine Corp. Opened to the public on 13 November 2006, the National Museum of the Marine Corps is a lasting tribute to U.S. Marines. Situated on a 135-acre site adjacent to the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia, the Museum’s soaring design resembles the image of the flag-raisers of Iwo Jima that entices visitors to its 118,000-square-foot structure.

Forest Greens Golf Course back-to-nature, out-in-the-woods, in-touch-with-the-wild is also just a step away from Potomac Club. The 18 holes at Forest Greens Golf Club runs by the Prince William County Park Authority, a course that has truly come into its own since it opened in 1996. Golf Digest rated Forest Green as a “Must-Play” by Golfstyle magazine. There is no doubt that it's going to be a “must-play” for you too.

Not only does Potomac Club offer new communities for sale in a prime location with tons of recreational activities nearby, but the community itself has abundant amenities to keep you occupied. A clubhouse, fitness center, indoor swimming pool, rock climbing wall, and social lounge swimming pools are all located within this gated community. Potomac Club condos offer 2-3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 1,565 - 1,950 sq. ft. and start in high $100’s. For directions to Potomac Club at 15100 Kentshire Drive Woodbridge, VA 22191, or call at 703-590-0509. 

St. Louis offers so many things to see and do that you’ll probably run out of time before you run out of options. Unique attractions, historic sites, charming neighborhoods and exciting entertainment, it's all offered in St. Louis. St. Louisans love their city’s history and many are moving back to the downtown core to live. Urban revitalization is transforming historic warehouses and factories into chic lofts, hotels and must-try restaurants.

St. Louis' signature attraction, the Gateway Arch, opened in 1965 to honor President Thomas Jefferson and his vision of a continental United States. The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial is made up of the 630-foot tall Arch, the Museum of Westward Expansion, the historic Old Courthouse, and a National Park Service site hugs the banks of the Mississippi River.

When Jefferson sent explorers Meriwether Lewis & William Clark from St. Louis to chart the new Louisiana Territory in 1804, more than 1,000 people, mostly French, Spanish, and Indians lived in the city that was the center of the fur trade in America. After the triumphant explorers returned from the Pacific with their Corps of Discovery, St. Louis became the last stop for mountain men and trappers heading to the newly opened frontier. St. Louis’ booming fur trade lasted until 1840, but the westward movement of Americans through St. Louis – “the gateway to the west” – was to last for many more years. For decades, entrepreneurs would make fortunes in St. Louis by selling goods to pioneers and adventurers who gathered their supplies and headed west for land, gold and glory.

Nothing has changed much since then when St. Louis was known for selling goods to travelers, now major shopping malls, top name department stores, and unique specialty shops are just three reasons that shoppers love St. Louis shopping. Add in a varied assortment of antiques stores, vintage clothing shops, trendy boutiques and brand name outlet malls make St. Louis a must shopping location.

Once you had shopped till you drop and need some energy, no worries. St. Louis has always been home to a mix of cultures and the proof is in the myriad of ethnic eateries located throughout St. Louis. From Italian and German to Bosnian and Vietnamese cuisine, there’s something to satisfy every craving at the hundreds of one-of-a-kind restaurants located in St. Louis culinary landscape.

After your bellies are full and your energy is restored there are three unforgettable experiences in one convenient downtown location to burn up those calories and put useful use to all that energy. Dance at Banana Joe's, catch the luck of the Irish at McGarvey's, or check out private Club V with even more great food and drinks with patio and sidewalk dining.

St. Louis city is also brimming with homes for sale all around the downtown area. Many well-know builders such as Arbor Homes, Mayer Homes, and McBride & Son Homes are taking advantage of this sought out city. So take a look to see if buying a new home or new condo in St. Louis would be a good investment for you.