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Alterra in Waterdown â€" recipe for success ike a good meal, a good neighborhood E starts with essential elements. These A._d/include a reputable builder, convenient amenities, and affordable prices. Good neighbors help too, especially when you‘re in the middle of a cookie recipe, and discover that you‘re running low on sugar! _ The ingredients for a successful communiâ€" ty are in place in nearby Waterdown, where Alterra Homes is in the process of selling "Windemere of Waterdown." On a quiet crescent in the heart of this friendly community, prospective homeowners can tour two full furnished models, and peruse a total of 21 diverse designs â€" many with more than one elevation â€" before making that allâ€"important decision. These handsome twoâ€"storey single family homes range in size from 1,142 to 3,349 square feet, and feature an impressive range of standard "icing," including designer European ceramicâ€"tiled floors in key areas of the home, and 37â€"ounce allâ€"nylon broadloom with quality underâ€" padding in designated areas. Prices start at $164,990. Sales manager Bunny Banks, says many prospective purchasers are drawn to the unusual designs. To put it simply, they‘re not boxes. The designs are fresh and innovative, while at the same time they are very practical." Quality and lavish attention to detail is also evident on the outside of these homes. Upgraded genuine clay brick, a profesâ€" sionally designed exterior color package (the buyer‘s choice), and exclusive trim features, THE ESCARPMENT ABOVE, Lake BELOW IN BEAMSVILLE Just a short drive from St. Catharines and Hamilton, Meadowood offers the best of all worlds in this unique country setting. Beautifully designed single family and semiâ€"detached homes offer many thoughtful touches including: Optional gas fireplaces, ensuite baths, patio walkâ€"outs, covered porches, W@D attached garages, walkâ€"in closets, 2 and 3 bedroom designs and more. ETATE@ he Come view the plans and see the site this weekend! Saturday and Sunday 2pm. to 5pm. For more information call (905) 688â€"4555 Real Estate Ltd. (905) 682â€"6621 including gingerbread detail, country porches and decorative mouldings give each home its traditional warmth. Inside, Alterra‘s exclusive chair rail and panel mouldings are provided in family rooms, dining rooms, front halls and main staircases â€" just one of the many elements that make these houses so desirable. :l‘the Eaton House, 2,232 square feet, is one of two fully furnished and profesâ€" sionally decorated model homes at "Alterra in Windemere of Waterdown." Consider also such energyâ€"saving features as stateâ€"ofâ€"theâ€"art digital programmable therâ€" mostats, upgraded "Smart" temperature conâ€" trol single lever shower systems, and mainteâ€" nanceâ€"free vinyl clad basement windows â€" a Regional Rd. 81 | ; QEW Beamsville big attraction for many buyers, notes Banks "Most builders use one type of window on the front of the house, and a different type on the rear and sides. Alterra uses top quality windows throughout the homes." Other gourmet (yet standard) touches: all main floor archways are trimmed. Returning guests and family members are welcomed by the sight of attractive brass front exterior coach lamps. The standard heat recovery system is yet another example of Alterra‘s pioneering spirit. This feature was introduced in recognition of Features to look for in an Râ€"2000 house eople building a new home face a bewilâ€" " dering array of choicesâ€"how much to L. spend, what style to build, and what feaâ€" tures to include. â€" If you are looking for the best value in new homes, look for ones with the Râ€"2000 designation. Meeting the Râ€"2000 standards, developed by the fedâ€" eral department of Natural Resources Canada and the Canadian Home Builders‘ Association in the early 1980s, typically adds between two and six per cent to the construction costs of a house. However, studies have shown that this investment 1s usually recovered over a period of two to seven years through lower energy bills. In addition, Râ€"2000 homes retain their value well on the resale market. When buying an Râ€"2000 home, there are a number of features to look for. They include: * insulation levels that typically exceed building code requirements e energy efficient doors and windows * seals to prevent air and moisture leaks * continuous fresh air ventilation * high quality space and water heating equipment Other features, such as orientation toward the sun, and environmentally friendly building materials, are also found in most Râ€"2000 homes. People who are ready to make an investment in an Râ€" 2000 home should contact their provincial home builders‘ association for the names of contractors who are certified to build these ultraâ€"efficient homes. There are more than 4,000 Râ€"2000 certified builders in Canada. They are typically among the most accomâ€" plished in their profession. All homes that have been built to the exacting stanâ€" dards of the Râ€"2000 program are issued certificates which can be transferred with the sale of the house. To check out the winning features of Râ€"2000 homes, contact your provincial home bullders association or call, tollâ€"free, 1â€"800â€"38Râ€"2000. the fact that while widespread use of energy efficient doors and windows, improved insuâ€" lating and sealing techniques in new housing helps save energy, it also presents new chalâ€" lenges where indoor air quality is concerned. To combat excess humidity from dishâ€" washers, laundry rooms and showers and linâ€" gering odors, modern ventilation standards recommend changing the air in the home once every two to three hours. A heat recovâ€" ery ventilation system brings fresh air from the outside, preheats it in the winter and cools it in the summer. Fresh, healthy air is then disâ€" tributed throughout the home, automatically, yearâ€"round. The awardâ€"winning builder maintains a rating of Excellent for after sales service, as measured by the Ontario New Home Warranty Program. Not surprisingly, Alterra has also garnered broad recognition for offerâ€" ing its customers wellâ€"built, innovative homes which successfully balance traditional values with the changing needs of today‘s families. If you decide to purchase an Alterra home in this project by December 24, Alterra is offering another plum for the pie â€" a "Christmas decor bonus package" with $10,000 worth of sumptuous upgrades. The model homes at Windemere of Waterdown are located on Strathroy Crescent, just east of Hwy. 6, south of Parkside Drive (via Hollybush Drive). Weekend visiting hours are Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call Elizabeth Nerkowski at 1â€"905â€"689â€"3300, Monday to Thursday between 1 and 8 p.m. have shown that this investment is