Above is a home built by Garden Homes and is one of only two “certifiable green” in Elkhart County. (Photo by Jacob Shaffer)
Dallas Barkman, new home consultant for Garden Homes, Inc., is alerting first time home buyers that several elements of the 2008 federal housing stimulus package will expire in June 2010. Under terms of its “rural housing initiative,” the federal legislation offers first time home buyers tax credits up to $8,000 and grants up to $5,000. Since such buyers must move in by the end of June to be eligible, Dallas will require a signed contract by the end of February.
The Garden Homes sales office is at 1002 Swan Street in the Riverwatch subdivision, located on CR 8 (River Road) west of Bristol. Hours are 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Appointments at other times can be arranged by calling Dallas at 202-4352.
There are currently 19 lots available for purchase in the 98-lot Riverwatch development. New homes can be constructed by Garden Homes or by a certified builder of the customer’s choice. New home buyers are being offered a two-year moratorium on mortgage payments, if they are laid off from their jobs.
Because Riverwatch is within the town limits of Bristol, the community is served with municipal water and sewer, as well as trash pick-up and snow removal. All streets have sidewalks, and all utilities are underground, including Comcast cable and NIPSCO gas and electric service.
All houses built through Garden Homes are now “certifiable green,” assuring that each one boasts an EPA energy rating of five-star plus. New homeowners can expect energy bills that are 66% less than those of a used home and 41% less than other new houses of the same size.
Dallas reports that his company recently built the second house in Elkhart County to achieve the “certified green” label of the National Association of Home Builders, making it one of only 653 in the entire nation to earn that status.
Garden Homes, besides the available lots in Riverwatch, can also build on individually owned home sites. More information about the company, its housing communities, and its construction services can be obtained at its website: www.gardenhomesinc.com.
