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  • Ray Williams uses the kitchen in his new home on Maxwell Avenue. Before buying his home through the city’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program, he never thought he would own a home. Kelly Overton

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September 15, 2012

Homes ready at city neighborhood project

By Andrea McCann Washington Times-Herald

WASHINGTON — Ray Williams never dreamed he’d be a homeowner, but for the past month he’s been comfortably ensconced in his brand-new, two-bedroom, energy-efficient home on Maxwell Avenue.

This American Dream was made possible for Williams through the city’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program grant. The program allows people like retirees and single parents to not only own homes with economical mortgages, but homes that continue to save them money with their ultra-efficient appliances and other features.

“I think they’re very nice homes, very well made and very reasonable,” Williams said.

While he hasn’t been in his new home long enough to know what his utility bills will be like, there are many things about the house he already loves.

“I’m really amazed at it,” said the retired city Street Department employee. “I rented a very small house, so this is nice. I really like the walk-in shower a lot.”

The lifetime Washington resident said the rooms are bigger and the sidewalks are wider than he’s used to, which he likes. In addition, he has a nice porch and a garage.

“I love that garage,” he said. “I surely do.”

And the neighbors are nice — Williams’ next-door neighbor happens to be his sister, Joann Clark. According to Williams, Clark really likes her new home, too.

At $451 a month, Williams pays slightly more for his house than he did for his apartment, but he gets considerably more for his money — and it belongs to him.

Lot sizes are 60X120 or larger. The homes have Dutch overlap siding with brick or stone front facades, a Cool Energy Star roof with a 40-year warranty, seamless gutter system, Energy Star Low-E windows, two covered porches and a two-car garage.

Inside, there are four different floor plans, but according to realtor Shelley Brinson, who’s selling the homes for the city, only three floors plans are still available for purchase. The homes are approximately 1,200 square feet and have vaulted ceilings in the living room and kitchen. They feature custom carpet and ceramic tile, matching brushed nickel fixtures and hardware, solid core doors, custom maple cabinets, high-quality laminate countertops and an extremely high efficiency mechanical system. All appliances, fixtures and fans are Energy Star rated.

“These are a lot more energy efficient than even a new home,” said on-site project manager Andrew Myszak of Myszak and Palmer Development. “They’re more than 40 percent more efficient than a brand-new home, and more than 100 percent more efficient than a house built in the 1980s.

“The mechanical systems are top of the line. They’re as efficient as you can get.”

Andy Myszak, principal with Myszak and Palmer, added: “These houses are completely spray-foam insulated. You don’t see that anywhere.”

He said the company has documentation to back up the energy-efficiency claims, and a third-party inspection is done on the homes. All the total-electric homes have been certified “Green Gold” by the National Association of Home Builders, according to Andy Myszak, the next-to-highest rating a home can get for being energy efficient and eco-friendly.

Of the 20 homes built with the NSP grant, eight have been sold. Brinson said the new homeowners include a single mom who pays $420 a month for a three-bedroom, two-bath home — including insurance and taxes. Her first electric bill was $85.

“For approximately $500 a month you can get a brand-new home,” Brinson said. “I don’t think people realize how potentially little they could own a new home for.”

She explained purchasers must meet certain guidelines, but those who do can apply for a loan through Rural Development or any lender.

“The Direct Program is income based,” she said. “If they qualify, their interest rate is based on their income.”

There are two income categories: 120 percent of Area Median Income Limits or 50 percent of Area Median Income Limits. A single person in the 120-percent bracket can earn a maximum of $46,450 annually to qualify. In the 50-percent bracket, a single person need only make a maximum $19,400 annually. For a family of four, those numbers are $66,350 and $27,650.

The 120-percent AMI homes have just been reduced to $79,500 and the 50-percent AMI homes to $69,500.

“They’re very affordable,” Brinson said. “If their credit is decent at all, we can help them get into one.”

She said there’s a one-page application at her Century 21 office, 2108 State St., that interested people can fill out to get the process started.

“The loan process went fast and smooth,” said Williams, who went through Rural Development. “I was amazed.”

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