Calgary area: Arrive at Evanston purchaser profile

When Jennifer Baran starting looking for a townhome, she knew she wanted to live in the northwest, but she also quickly arrived at the decision to go Green.

“I had a one-bedroom condo in Panorama and I wanted to move up to a townhome, but stay in the northwest, so I looked at townhomes in Sage Hill, Nolan Hill and Evanston,” Baran says. “I saw that Partners Development Group was advertising Built Green townhomes, which meant I could save on energy and water usage and that really appealed to me.”

She did some research and talked to others who built Green, before visiting the Arrive at Evanston sales centre. “I loved the idea of having a home that was more environmentally friendly, but I also loved Arrive’s design, so getting both really sold me.”

Baran purchased a 1,350-sq.-ft. townhome with two bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and a heated and insulated garage and moved in last October.

“Having the garage was a bonus, although I was initially worried about what it would cost to heat it during the winter, but it turned out fine; it was very little cost,” she comments. “I also chose to upgrade with air conditioning, which I know can be expensive, but being an interior unit with homes on both sides, along with the energy-efficient systems in this home, I don’t think it will be costly.”

Baran also appreciates that her townhome comes with an Energy Star stainless steel appliance package, as well as washer/dryer, water-saver faucets and toilets, low-E windows, LED and CFL lighting, a 96-per-cent high-efficiency furnace, electric water heater, spray foam insulation and a heat recovery ventilation system creating a clean, healthy environment in the home.

“When I compared my power bills to other people who have townhomes, I’m certainly saving,” Baran notes. “Going with a Built Green home has definitely been a bonus with the trying times in this economy right now, as well I think it will be a great feature to have for resale in the future.”

But not only is Baran’s townhome Built Green certified, it has an EnerGuide rating of 83 points with gold status with Built Green Canada labelling, which makes it eligible for a rebate.

“I was really surprised. I didn’t know anything about it until Jade (Mahon, vice-president sales and marketing at Partners) told me about it and sent me a form to send in. She has been really great and so has everyone at Partners. I’d definitely recommend them and the Arrive townhomes to others.”

Mahon notes that Baran was able to get back a 10-per-cent refund on her mortgage insurance premium paid through CMHC or Genworth – which both have a Green home initiative and had put some “green” back into her pocket.

“Energy-efficient homes, cars, and lifestyles are front and centre and it’s important these agencies and governments are behind the companies and consumers working toward consuming less.”

“I’m proud we provide environmentally responsible townhomes to our purchasers – and yes, having reduced utility bills help today, but even over the long term, the added value of having a better built, more efficient home is going to provide our homeowners with an even higher market value to their home,” Mahon says.