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8 Cool Features Every New Home Needs

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A brand new home is an opportunity to start fresh with modern, energy-efficient features. After all, what home built in the ’70s would have tankless hot water and solar panel roofing by default?

Here is a rundown of 8 cool must-have features every new home needs. 

Take this list with you on your next home tour!

The dining room in our Cascade home model features waterproof planks.

Premium Waterproof Flooring

Whether you’ll be sharing your home with pets or children, damage potential is a common concern when buying a home. 

In common areas, opt for vinyl flooring, which will protect your floor from dog accidents and juice spills. As an added bonus, look for waterproof flooring backed with an acoustical pad (like those in Green Vista Homes) to minimize sound and provide additional comfort. 

Tankless Hot Water

Imagine never having to worry about your space-hogging 50-gallon water tank springing a leak. Even better, imagine never running out of hot water in the middle of your shower. 

Tankless hot water heaters are space-saving, energy efficient solutions to common problems found in traditional water heaters.

The Department of Energy estimates tankless water heaters to be 24-50% more energy efficient than their traditional counterparts. 

As an added bonus, tankless water heaters have a life expectancy of 20 years, compared to 10-15 years for tank heaters. 

Our Skyview home model features native landscaping requiring minimal maintenance.

Minimalist Landscaping

Giant, maintenance-intensive yards can be tedious for retirees and busy families alike. That’s why minimalist landscaping is so important in a new home. 

Your new yard should be filled with plants that are native to the area (at Green Vista, we landscape each yard with plants native to the Pacific Northwest). In general, native plants require less irrigation and care compared to exotic plants. 

A minimalist yard might also include beautifully placed rocks and mulch. 

The benefit of having a minimalist yard as a new homeowner? You’re free to enjoy your new yard with little mowing or maintenance in mind. 

Our Verde home model includes a set of solar panels on the roof.

Solar Panel Roofing

Solar panel roofing is one modern home feature that shouldn’t be overlooked, even if you live in an overcast area like many cities in the Pacific Northwest.

In addition to helping the environment by tapping energy from the sun, solar panel roofs may reduce energy costs, improve your home’s resale value, and extend the lifespan of your roof, according to the U.S. Green Building Council.

  • Your energy bill savings will depend on usage, but electricity for residential households in Whatcom County is currently nearly 11 cents per kilowatt hour (if you use more than 600 kWh per month). 
  • On average, solar panels increase a home’s value by 4.1%, according to an analysis by Zillow in 2019. 
  • Solar panels extend the lifespan of your roof by protecting it from the elements and absorbing sunlight. 

If your new home includes a solar panel system, you’ll be well positioned to take advantage of all of these benefits. 

ERV Air Filtration System

ERV, or Energy Recovery Ventilator, is an often overlooked, but exciting benefit of buying a new home. 

Basically, an ERV exchanges stale air in your home for fresh air. And you don’t have to worry about uncomfortable temperature changes during the exchange – some ERVs, like the ones we use at Green Vista Homes, help cool the air during the summer and heat the air during the winter. They also help prevent excess moisture from entering your home. 

Aerobarrier

Another overlooked feature you should ask about for your new home is a type of material called an aerobarrier. 

Sprayed in the home during the construction phase, an aerobarrier will completely seal any energy-draining holes in the home. This will make your home airtight so you never lose heating or air conditioning. 

The result is added comfort for your family and more savings on your energy bill. 

The kitchen in our Terra home model features stainless steel appliances.

Stainless Steel Appliances

Stainless steel appliances are a must-have for three major reasons:

  1. Stainless steel is easy to clean
  2. It’s non-porous, making it more resistant to germs than other materials
  3. It’s a long-lasting, rust-resistant choice

Plus, stainless steel just looks beautiful. It’is a classic, neutral look that complements any future decor that might be in store. 

Fireless Fireplace

If you’re not into chopping wood but still want to experience the comfort of sitting by the fire, a fireless “fireplace” is for you. We use the  Napolean Ascent B36 Fireplace, which has ultra realistic flames. The hand-painted log set completes the look of a real fire. 

Our Homes Have All 8 Features and More

Our new homes at Green Vista in Bellingham, WA include all of the above features, plus:

  • Smart garage door openers
  • High-performance decks
  • Energy-efficient heat pumps
  • Noise-reducing insulation
  • Stain-resistant carpeting

To see all of the cool features of our new homes, schedule a tour.

Schedule a Home Tour

Fill out the form, and we’ll follow up to make arrangements!

Introducing Green Vista Homes: Modern Living in Bellingham, WA

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Bellingham’s home development Green Vista Homes is poised to become Whatcom County’s most modern housing community.

With Green Vista Homes, these luxury features come standard:

Exterior Features

Smart Garage Door Opener

We proudly install locally made Wayne Dalton Garage Doors, which offer superior insulation, durability, and dent resistance.

We provide a Liftmaster opener with smart technology that allows it to be controlled with your phone, two remotes, and a keypad. The openers are upgraded to a belt drive for a quieter and more reliable opening.

Durable Door Materials

We use Codel fiberglass doors for durability, higher insulation values, and moisture protection.

All door hardware is Schlage with an entry handleset and deadbolts on all exterior doors.

Native Landscaping in Private Yards

Landscaping at Green Vista Homes is designed by a landscape architect to be a dryscape with native plants for longevity. Eight inches of topsoil is brought in along with locally grown sod.

Each home includes a rear yard fence for privacy. The fence boards are logged, milled, and kiln dried here in Whatcom County and pre-stained with Benjamin Moore Arborcoat.

Quality Windows, Siding, and Decks

Each home is made with Plygem double-pane windows for efficiency and owner comfort. They are backed by a Lifetime Warranty.

Decks are built with high performance, low maintenance Trex Decking, which is made from 95% recycled material and includes a 25-Year Warranty.

We proudly install James Hardie Siding – the world leader in siding durability.

All exterior concrete is 6-sack, which is more durable than standard and is sealed with Diamond Clear for durability and easier cleaning.

Solar Panel Roofing

Each home includes eight solar panels to reduce the owner’s electrical costs and lessen the environmental impact of each home. Each panel will help lower the cost of electricity in your home, as well as help create cleaner air and a better environment.

The roof is installed by a local contractor using locally made IKO Architectural Roofing Shingles, with a Limited Lifetime 30-Year Guarantee.

Interior Features

Download Our List of Finish Options

Pick out your lighting, fixture, carpet, and laminate details for your ultimate dream home.

Gourmet Kitchens

Our homes come with gourmet, high-end GE stainless appliances, including:

  • Gas slide-in range for a built-in look
  • Powerful GE chimney range hood (per plan)
  • Flush door GE dishwasher

An Opaci-Coat solid glass backsplash adds protection and a striking contrast in the designer kitchen.

Our beautiful modern gloss cabinets, from HighCraft Cabinets in Ferndale, come with wood drawers, dovetail joints, extra height upper cabinets, and soft close features. They also include a great warranty.

The countertops are made of 3 cm premium natural quartz from MSI and include a lifetime warranty.

All homes come standard with a stainless under-mount sink in the kitchen and square
ceramic under-mount sinks in all baths (unless pedestal).

The Delta pullout sprayer faucet in the kitchen comes with a Lifetime Warranty (and lasts twice as long as the industry standard).

Luxurious Bathrooms

Every home comes standard with a master bath shower door with a chrome frame and clear glass.

Other bathroom features include:

  • MAAX one-piece acrylic showers and tub/showers with a lifetime warranty.
  • Ceramic square under-mount sinks for a modern look and easy cleaning.
  • Delta plumbing fixtures for style and quality.
  • Western Pottery elongated toilets for added comfort.
  • Quality vanities with soft-close features from HighCraft Cabinets of Ferndale.

Each home comes standard with a Toto Washlet in the Master Bath. The washlet warms the lid and pre-rinses when one sits down and has a remote control for various spray options and dryer operation. Toto is the industry leader in washlets.

Premium Flooring and Carpering

Each home at Green Vista homes is outfitted with Shaw Carpet, which has the best stain-fighting technology in the industry.

We also use Shaw Vinyl Plank Flooring, which is both durable and beautiful. The flooring is:

  • 100% waterproof
  • Backed with a Soft Silence acoustical pad for noise reduction and added comfort

We also use luxury sheet vinyl from Mannington Mills. The lifetime-backed flooring features advanced printing and texturing technologies. It is the best-looking and best-performing sheet vinyl floor in the market.

Throughout the Home

We believe the finishing touches are important.

Lighting

We believe lighting has the power to give homes a more inviting and luxurious feel.

With this in mind, we install Progress and/or Kichler Lighting in every home. We stand behind the belief that spending a little more for quality, contemporary lighting gives our homes a more inviting and luxurious feeling.

Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling

Per plan, we install a Napolean Linear Ascent Fireplace, with a custom surround and a hand painted log set. Each fireplace comes with a fan for added comfort.

Each home is supplied with a Rinnai Tankless Hot Water Heater for on demand and efficient hot water.

We use American Standard ductless heat pumps, which have up to a 5-Year Parts and Labor Warranty. These units provide efficient heating and cooling. In addition to being maintenance-free, these heat pumps are quiet and allow for single-zone climate control.

Each home comes with a Panasonic ERV air filter system that pushes stale air out and replaces it with fresh, clean air. In winter, the ERV heats the incoming air, and in the summer, it cools it down. The ERV is both affordable to buy and run in your home. They are very quiet, and last for more than 11 years without shutting it off.

Aerobarrier is a material that, when sprayed throughout the home during the construction phase, completely seals off any holes in the home that would allow for increased airflow and decreased heating and cooling. This material allows your new home to be airtight, significantly decreasing your energy bill.

We install Carlisle Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation, which is the most efficient form of insulation, in the roof framing. Benefits of this insulation include noise reduction, sturdiness, and longevity, and preventing mold, mildew, and bugs.

Features After the Sale

Prior to the closing of each home, we have a pest inspection performed by Environmental Pest Control. Following the inspection, exclusion work is performed to reduce the risk of pests troubling your new home.

At the seller’s expense, a third-party warranty is purchased at closing from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty. This provides the new home with a transferable 1-Year Cosmetic, 2-Year Mechanical Systems, and a 10-Year Structural Warranty.

All the vendors that build your home are local and established companies for trusted support.

Get to Know the Features of Spring Brook Bungalows

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New homes in Bellingham that fit your lifestyle

A home that is quality built and fits your personal style. A home that is optimized to fit your active life. A neighborhood that is safe, friendly, and close to amenities.

Spring Brook Bungalows has it all.

This exclusive collection of 2 and 3 bedroom homes is located in the quiet rural neighborhood of Cordata, one of Bellingham’s most progressive and fastest-growing neighborhoods. It’s just around the corner from coffee shops, grocery stores, medical facilities, parks, and trails. The contemporary bungalow style, with a variety of custom options creates a home that is truly unique, made to your liking.

Homes Features

Love Where You Live, and the Space You Live In

The contemporary bungalow design of a Spring Brook home creates a comfortable and welcoming ambiance. Features include open floor plans, inviting front entries, modern kitchens, natural and sustainable coloring and accents, artistic exterior lighting fixtures, and architectural accents.

Floor plans range from 1,005 to 1,664 square feet and maximize usable area while minimizing wasted space. All have private outdoor living and entertaining spaces and come with one- or two- car attached or detached garages.

Professionally designed native and ornamental landscaping frames the home with lush greenery. The homes are furnished with environmentally conscious products and technology, including fully equipped solar panels.

Each home sits on a spacious lot in our Built Green Community.

Interior Features

When it Comes to Your Home, the Details Matter

The interiors of Spring Brook Bungalows are comfortable and stylish, with shiplap walls, white millwork, and durable laminate floors in the open living spaces.

Strategically placed windows fill the home with natural light.

Kitchens blend high-end stainless steel appliances with shaker-style cabinets and polished quartz countertops.

The master bedroom features a vaulted ceiling with a luxurious ensuite, including an electronic toilet.

All the details – from the expansive closet space to the high-efficiency minisplit heat and A/C Systems – are designed to make life more comfortable and affordable.

Neighborhood Features

Live Green With All the Nearby Amenities

Spring Brook Bungalows is part of a greater community called Larrabee Springs, located in the Cordata community. This Built Green community is the newest community of residential detached single-family homes.

Tree-lined streets weave amongst open green spaces. The area is known for wide level sidewalks on both sides of the street, including bike lanes.

Just minutes away are coffee shops, dining spots, and Bellis Fair Mall. Restaurants, schools, and everyday amenities are all nearby. There is a bus stop in the neighborhood, and the transfer station is just down the street. You’ll have easy access to the Guide Meridian and I-5 .

This location is perfect for active lifestyles where experiencing the outdoors is a passion and the availability of everyday conveniences is a must.