Real Estate Briefs, Oct. 1
By Hannah Hager
2008 Monument Awards
Winchester Homes' luxury townhome community in Herndon was recognized for excellence in planning, design and architecture at the 2008 Monument Awards. The Monument Awards gala was presented Sept. 4 by the Maryland-National Capital Building Industry Association and the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association. A panel of 50 real estate professionals visited the Fontaine at President’s Park to review the new homes and communities. The judges considered elements such as floor plan innovations, balance of design, exterior curb appeal and customer feedback on the models and communities.
An Award of Merit was presented to the luxury Tyler-model townhome at the Fontaine at President's Park by Winchester Homes in the attached housing category of homes priced from $500,001 to $600,000. The Tyler model offers three bedrooms, two full and two half baths, a two-bay rear-loading garage, hardwood floors, a gourmet kitchen with granite countertops and maple cabinetry options.
Visit the Web site, www.winchesterhomes.com.
Lower energy costs
Bruce Green, regional vice president of Weichert Realtors, offers ways for homeowners to save on energy costs.
Have a utility company provide you with energy audits that show where your home is energy-inefficient. Caulk and line windows and doors with weather strips to fill air leaks. To keep warm air in the home, insulate window treatments, install double-glazed windows, and make sure walls and ceilings are properly and sufficiently insulated, including the attic and finished basement.
Change light bulbs from incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs to cut the amount of energy used. Consider using light dimmers, timers and motion sensors whenever possible to limit energy use. Switch out the heating unit’s air filter every few months, because the furnace has to work harder to draw air through dirty filters.
Replace old appliances with energy-efficient units. The Energy Star program offers guidance in finding the most energy-efficient appliances. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy started the Energy Star labeling program to identify and promote energy-efficient products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
For more information, call 800-USA-SOLD or visit Weichert's Web site, www.weichert.com.
New sales associate
Jamie Casamento has joined the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Leesburg as a sales associate. Call Casamento at 703-771-8888 or visit www.cbmove.com.
DAAR charity auction
The Dulles Area Association of Realtors will sponsor the 17th annual auction and dinner to raise funds for Loudoun County charities at River Creek Country Club in Leesburg.
More than $39,000 was raised last year and donated to local shelter-based charities. Proceeds benefited Rebuilding Together/Christmas in April, Good Shepherd Alliance, Loudoun Abused Women's Shelter -- Children's Services, Loudoun Cares, Loudoun Families for Children, Volunteers of America Emergency Shelter and Volunteers of America Transitional Housing Shelter.
The silent auction will take place Oct. 24, 6-11 p.m. Donations of items of $100 or more are requested from area businesses for the event. Auction and dinner tickets are $65. Contact Kathleen Mellott, director of member services, at 703-777-2468 or kmellott@dullesarea.com.