New Construction Homes

NGBS testers give points to the builders in each category, and there are 4 levels of certification. Homes are rated from the following categories: lot design, preparation, and development; resource efficiency; energy efficiency; water efficiency; indoor environmental quality; and operation, maintenance, and building owner education. And the NGBS Certification is not the best standard possible. 

Expect an energy savings of up to 45% with a NGBS Certification, plus keep in mind that the builder went above and beyond during the build process to protect the environment. You’ll receive a healthier home, lower operating costs, and a sustainable lifestyle.

LEEDS Certified Homes

A LEED Certification is a worldwide title earned by conscientious developers and building owners. Everything about a building must be good for the environment. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Enviormental Design.

A LEED certification is applicable for commercial and residential, new construction, and rehabilitation. To be LEED Certified means that the building features both energy-saving materials and design.

LEED homes are designed to maximize health with maximum indoor fresh air and minimal exposure to airborne toxins and pollutants. They will use less energy and water, lowering utility usage. LEED Certified Homes will save 30-60% on utilities compared to non-green homes.

ZERH Certifications

ZERH stands for Zero Homes. A Zero Energy Home Certification is typically not achievable with a production home builder because of the extra cost involved. Some refer to a ZERH Certification an Energy Star Certification on crack. The Department of Energy initiated this program and set the standard. A ZERH certification requires a HERS Score of 50. Compare that to an Energy Star Certification, which has a minimum standard in the low 80’s. With HERS scoring, low is good- think golf.

The DOE’s criteria is for a home built to this standard to be sustainable energy ready. The goal is for a builder to make it possible for the homeowner to easily eliminate or seriously minimize all public utility energy usage. Zero Energy homes must also meet Energy Star criteria, WaterSense requirements, and the Indoor AirPlus standard, plus others.

Your home building costs will be more, but the DOE estimates that a Certified ZERH Home will save you $450-$1200 a year just on electricity. Those figures are a national average and without converting to solar energy.

Energy-Efficient Homes Save Money

Our home is a NGBS National Green Building Standard certified home that is about 2 years old. We get statements each month from the power company telling us that our bill is up to half as much as the rest of the zip code. Water and gas bills are also the lowest we’ve ever had. Our estimated savings last year was over $1200 compared to our last home that was similar-sized. Saving money and the planet at the same time works for me!

Energy-saving features in our NGBS Certified home include a multi-zoned energy-saving HVAC system. The system was balanced and engineered to create maximum airflow, which minimizes the HVAC unit’s operating time. With 2-year-old appliances, every one of them had a high energy star rating. A smart thermostat with room sensors adds further savings.

We also have a space-saving tankless water heater and Low-E windows. As a standard feature, the builder put a small covered patio to block the sun from shining on the sliding glass door. There are smaller windows in this house, but more of them. This also makes it so that the temperatures in a room are more uniform. With a Las Vegas summer, we noticed that this helped a lot.

The home builder that we chose builds with 2 X 6 construction, which allows additional insulation in the walls. There is a radiant barrier on the attic ceiling. Stuccoed eaves add more heat protection (and less maintenance), and VOC and elastomeric paint help as well.

Lower ceiling heights of 9 and 10 feet still give the house a spacious feel. However, the thing I like best about this house? I can adjust the thermostat and lock all windows and doors on my phone when leaving the house and unlock them coming home.

New Construction Homes In Las Vegas

With so many new construction homes to choose from, it can seem daunting to choose which home is for you. Some people cannot read floorplans, and the first thing you need to do is eliminate some homes by their floorplan. If this is you, call me and let me find you homes with the features you like.

Then you’ll want to decide if you want a one or two-story home. Wait! There are 3 story homes in Las Vegas! Land is expensive and a one-story home requires more land for its footprint than a two or three-story home. A one-story home will always cost more to build.

Another great way to eliminate choices is to decide if you want a formal living room or a great room. Do you want a formal or separate dining room? Do you want your bedroom near the secondary bedrooms? If you choose a two or three-story home, do you want a bedroom with a full bath downstairs? Will a 2 car garage work for you or do you need a 3? Once you find floorplans that work for your lifestyle choice, we go looking at homes. Never view homes without a Realtor- read why below.

Choosing A Brand New Construction Home

Once you have chosen your price range and a type of floorplan, you need to know which area you want to live in. If you don’t know areas, let us take you on a “3-hour tour.” That’s when we look at areas, and from there you’ll choose a home and lot that you like.

Each community will usually offer various sized lots. Most lots have “Lot Premiums.” The lowest I am seeing these days is $5000. Lots with just a little more depth or on the perimeter have premiums of at least $10,000. It’s important to factor that in when deciding which homes to look at. A corner lot or a cul-de-sac lot will cost more. Homes backing to green belts, parks, mountains, or that offer a view will also have lot premiums. Some builders have larger lots that fit swimming pools as standard, and others charge for them.

Brand New Home Buyer Representation

Builders – The first thing you should know is that the salesperson at every brand new construction model home that you view works for the builder. Period. They do not represent you and never will represent you. They are nice and offer you drinks and cookies so you will buy their builder’s home. The builder’s contract will be in the builder’s favor, and in Las Vegas, a sales price is not negotiable. Some offer incentives to use their lender. Shop rates and fees and decide on a lender at a future point in time. Remember, their “deal” may not be a good deal – for you…

In Southern Nevada, brand new construction home builders will pay for you to have buyer representation- because they give you none. This is a great benefit to you because the price you pay for the home doesn’t change whether you have a Realtor representing you or if you do all the work yourself. Of course, they’ve made things a little tricky because if you don’t have an agent on your team, their job gets easier- yours isn’t.