Central Washington shows itself more than ready for Selah Vista’s healthy high-performance homes
[SELAH, WASHINGTON, March 11, 2019] Leading Force Development’s Selah Vista Homes won the prestigious U.S. Department of Energy’s 2018 Housing Innovation Award in the Custom Spec category—one of only seven builder projects nationwide to be so recognized. The only residential development of its kind in Central Washington, the project was subsequently awarded five Central Washington Tour of Homes Awards, including Best in Class. Selah Vista Homes is poised to follow their initial success with even greater achievements in 2019.
When the unique residential development was on the drawing board, many wondered if the community would accept new homes that promised to deliver net zero energy efficiency, healthy indoor air quality, and a 100-year design life with premium price tags. But with five Phase 1 properties already sold, three currently under construction, and a 2-acre community commons designed by nationally-acclaimed landscape designer Mark Lakeman of Communitecture breaking ground this Summer, the answer appears to be a resounding “Yes!”
A total of sixty solar powered homes ranging from shared wall town homes to detached custom build are planned. They are designed to meet projected Washington Energy Code 2030 standards, and any design presented for the custom building lots must meet at least Built Green Five Star standards. Innovative home features include, but are not limited to, high-quality construction materials designed for 100-year sustainability; net zero electric and water usage less than 50% of a normal home; universal design/age-in-place concepts used throughout; pre-wired for Smart Home technologies; and bedrooms purposely wired to eliminate electromagnetic fields (EMF’s) near sleeper’s heads.
The Selah Vista model home has already been a considerable focus for Green Build education: several hundred parties toured the model since it opened in May, and it has been in frequent use as a classroom for Realtor education. Developer Steve Weise, and Community Developer/Realtor Brenda Nunes have both presented the project at national energy conferences with more appearances scheduled in 2019.
“Everyone deserves to live in a healthy home, with a sustainable environment and no monthly power bill,” says Selah Vista developer Steve Weise. Selah Vista Homes are built with natural products for occupant comfort, safety and energy efficiency. The homes are also beautiful, durable, low maintenance and designed to last 100 years.