J.S. Hovnanian Wins at MAME Awards

Our client J.S. Hovnanian and Sons won big at the recent MAME awards, held this month by Builders League of South Jersey.

Stephen Hovnanian won the coveted Builder of the Year Award, and the firm won the Commitment to Excellence Award. This is truly an exciting award because it is based on homebuyer satisfaction surveys and input.

Read more: http://www.hovhomes.com/about/news_display.php?id=110

Congratulations to J.S. Hovnanian and Sons! We are proud to serve their green-minded home building at Roesville, as they continue to build homes certified in the National Green Building Certification Program.

Green for Green Helps New Homeowners

Ted Williams and Howard Fortunato were honored today to help Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County and Home Builders Association of Delaware present SEU-sponsored Green for Green rebate checks to two new Habitat homes at Terrace Green in Wilmington.

Habitat and the homeowners built the homes to achieve Silver Certification in the National Green Building Certification Program which means their homes were built to be 15% more energy efficient than other new homes built to the State energy code. Plus not to mention all the other features of certified green homes - water efficiency, improved indoor air quality, etc. To achieve certification, LandmarkJCM performed the Verification Inspections. Pictured are Kevin Smith of Habitat, Jen Casey of Home Builders, Ted Williams, Geneva Wilson homeowner, Maurice Boddy homeowner, and Howard Fortunato

Bestfield Homes Celebrates 57 Years

Congrats to Bestfield Homes. They are celebrating 57 years in the homebuilding business!



Bestfield Homes began its roots in 1954, when Mr. DiEgidio built his first community on Boxwood Road in Wilmington, the community of Bestfield.



Since then, the company has transformed and today has several partners. Tony DiEgidio and Dan Martelli are the "main men", with strong support by Construction and Sales Scott Bradley and Guy Waites.



Bestfield has built more than 4,000 homes. For the last few years, we have been privileged to help them obtain green home certifications in the NGBS Program! More importantly, they give back to the homebuilding business by remaining active with the Home Builders Association of Delaware and the Green Building Council.



Way to go Bestfield!

Schell Brothers Launches Extreme Home Makeover

Yesterday morning, the Dunning family in Sussex County Delaware happily learned they are the recipient of the latest Extreme Home Makeover:

http://www.joinextreme.com/delawarefamily/-dp1

The Rehoboth based homebuilding firm Schell Brothers is spearheading all of this, and has been in a whirlwind of activity these last several weeks to prepare. Certainly, other builders that have done these can relate to all the emotions Schell's staff is experiencing. I witnessed the intense planning behind the scenes, during our meeting last week to coordinate timing of our green verification inspections to yield a certified green home! Of course, our Accredited Verifier Joe Gordon is likely to do his first inspection before sunrise later this week as this will be a green certified home under the NGBS program.

Congrats to Schell Brothers for taking on this monumental task.

First Master Certified Green Professionals at HBADE!

We are proud to congratulate and announce Dave Blackwell and Don Yoos as the FIRST Master Certified Green Professionals that are members of the Home Builders Association of Delaware!

Dave and Don are with J.S. Hovnanian and Sons. Not only are they the first Master CGP's, they are a member of our HBADE Green Building Council. We at LandmarkJCM are proud they are our client in the National Green Building Certification Program, which is powered by the NAHB Research Center.

The Master CGP goes beyond the standard CGP and is available exclusively to experienced builders and remodelers. The Master CGP curriculum digs deeper into green building science and methods and strategies for selling green. This is a brand new designation which just became available this Spring. Don, Dave and J.S. Hovnanian are early adopters!

Congrats once again to Dave and Don!

Habitat for Humanity New Home Dedication

This morning, Habitat for Humanity held a dedication and key ceremony for 6 new homeowners at Terrace Green in Wilmington.

An audience of 50 or so watched as remarks were made by local and State officials, and then the 6 new homeowners officially received their key to their new home. The site, formerly an auto repair and cab company, has transformed into a home place these individuals will soon call home.

We were happy to be there to participate in the celebration, as these homes are almost completed and are on track to be certified Green under the National Green Building Certification program. Rick Burritt of LandmarkJCM is the Accredited Verifier that has helped these homes become certified.

Congrats to the new homeowners, and also to Habitat for Humanity as they continue their mission of affordable homeownership.

Home Appraisers Starting to Appreciate Green

Looks like the appraisal industry is putting in place guidelines so that appraisers can properly value green homes.

See this article: http://www.nbnnews.com/NBN/issues/2011-05-16/Front+Page/3.html

We are working to get further and emerging details about this. If you have any questions about it call Howard Fortunato at LandmarkJCM at 302-323-9377

NAHB Research Center Announces 2,000th Certified Project

The NAHB Research Center announced last week their 2,000th Green Certified Project in the Nation. Certified projects are almost all single family homes, but they also include remodeling, multifamily projects and site certifications such as this one. Congrats to the NAHB Research Center and the developer of this project in Cecil County Maryland. The link to the article is below.

We are happy to see the National Green Building Certification Program explode, a worthy accomplishment which is helping to support the housing economy. Of course here in Delaware, we have a lot of green to brag about. Our HBADE created the Green for Green homebuyer rebate program in conjunction with State DNREC officials. Delaware ranks #1 on a per-capita basis for the number of certified green homes in the nation. And while our many fine builders and clients in Delaware are embracing green, just last April Bestfield Homes in Delaware achieved the 1,000th certified green home project in the nation.

LandmarkJCM is happy to help all our clients build green, we are the most experienced Accredited Verifiers in Delaware. We're always happy to tell you about it, call Howard Fortunato at 302-323-9377 for information.

2,000th Green Certified Project link: http://www.nahbrc.com/news/pressreleases/rc_20110214.aspx

Delaware's First Certified EMERALD Home!

Our friend and client Lance Manlove of Zero Energy Homes just completed the first home in Delaware to receive the highest green home certification possible - Emerald!

The custom home in Lewes, Delaware, certified under the ANSI approved National Green Building Certification program, was awarded Emerald certification for including numerous green features. Not only is this home energy efficient, it received an eye-popping HERS score of 35 (the lower the better, 100 is code, 80 is energy star), it contains a partial green vegetated roof, solar electric and hot water heating panels, a rooftop rainwater collection and distribution system, and many other features. LandmarkJCM's Joe Gordon was the Accredited Verifier of record.

Our congratulations go out to Lance once again, and we are pleased to have partnered with Lance to build the first Certified Emerald home in Delaware!

Delaware Leads the Way in Green Certified Homes!

According to just published statistics by the Research Center of the National Association of Home Builders, Delaware has the largest number of green certified NGBS new homes in the nation, 123, based on a per-capita basis. Although North Carolina, Tennessee and Indiana have more certified homes on an absolute basis, we are proud of our per-capita accomplishment considering we are a small state!

We at LandmarkJCM are pleased to help Delaware be a national leader in green certified new homes. Our experienced staff has verified 90% of all green certified homes in Delaware. If you would like any further details, please call Howard Fortunato at 302-323-9377.

Delaware Green for Green Picking Up Speed

Having launched only 5 months ago, the Delaware Green for Green homebuyer rebate program is really picking up speed. The initial $300,000 allocation of total rebate money, available to buyers of new-construction certified green homes in Delaware, is nearly one-third gone. Between actual paid rebates, pending applications and approved rebates awaiting settlement, nearly $100,000 has been committed/earmarked or paid. The word is spreading as new home buyers are being rewarded for buying green, energy efficient homes while assisting the local housing economy. The program was put together as a joint effort between the Home Builders Association of Delaware, DNREC, and the Delaware SEU.

Thus far, ALL of the participating homes in the program are receiving certification under the National Green Building Certification Program, the only national green building rating program to be consensus approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

Builders interested in selling more homes or buyers wanting to learn how and where to buy a new green certified home can email Howard Fortunato at howardf@landmarkjcm.com

Celebrating Our Green Verifiers Extraordinaire

As the National Green Building Certification gets ever closer to the 2,000th certification in the Nation, once again our Accredited Verifier Joe Gordon of LandmarkJCM has been recognized. Accredited Verifiers serve as in-field ambassadors for the program and the National Green Building Standard. The Research Center recently recognized the national top-volume Verifiers for their service and experience. Joe Gordon is #3 in the entire country!

Congrats Joe! And thanks to all of our clients for placing their trust and confidence in us, allowing us to serve their green building needs. Any other homebuilders wishing to join the crowd can give us a call to see how they can build green.

Tour of the NAHB Research Center

Friday the Home Builder’s Green Building Council was treated to a tour of the NAHB Research Center in Maryland. Nearly 30 members - builders, associates, and Kent County inspectors attended the tour. The first part, conducted by President Mike Luzier and Green Director Michelle Desiderio was to learn about the numerous services the Research Center provides besides green home certifications, including state of the art market research and focus groups for housing and housing product clients. We learned that the Research Center’s independence from NAHB and non-biased results are without dispute as they hold many accreditations from independent national testing certification bodies.

Then Bob Hill, Director of Laboratory Services, hosted our tour of the 45,000 square foot, 4-story indoor testing facility which can evaluate all parts of housing product components - weatherization of walls, materials, and insulation, osb strength, thermal characteristics, plumbing fixtures, etc.

The Research Center congratulated our HBADE with implementing the Green for Green homebuyer rebate program which rewards new home buyers of certified green homes with cash rebates. Mike cited it as an example of a win-win partnership in Delaware between the State DNREC and SEU and HBADE. He commented that other States are looking to implement the program nationally.

Green for Green Success !

Saturday, Mr. and Mrs. Fritts received their ceremonial $3,000 rebate as the first recipients of the new DNREC/SEU Green for Green program! Because Silverstock Builders delivered the home in Ocean View Delaware that earned Silver Certification from the National Green Building Certification Program, Mr and Mrs Fritz were the first to receive a rebate, actually issued a couple weeks ago.

Reybold Development delivered the second rebate check, also Silver, to their buyer at Meridian Crossing in Bear a couple days later. Buyers are seeing the benefit of Certified Green homes!

Pictured from left includes Howard Fortunato representing the Green Accredited Verifiers at LandmarkJCM; Mr & Mrs. Fritts; Homebuilder Bob Thornton; sales rep Mary Cerami; DNREC Energy and Policy Director Carolyn Snyder; and Jen Casey, EVP of Home Builders Assn of De.

We hope more buyers continue to buy homes and obtain their energy efficient, certified green homes - plus a rebate! Info at http://www.degreen4green.com/

Silver Woods Green Event Sept 11, 2010

Congrats to our good friend and client Bob Thornton of Silverstock Builders. He scored another green "first" and delivered the first NGBS Silver Certified home in Delaware last month under the new State Green for Green Rebate program for homebuyers.

To celebrate, we are helping Bob at his Green Event held onsite Sat 9/11/10 from 11am-4pm. In addition to display of our native Delaware critters by our Senior Biologist Mick McLaughlin, we will be on hand to explain green homes to prospective buyers and the rebates available to buyers. More importantly we will explain why Certified Green homes is so important to new homebuyers.

There will be music and food and goodies. Further info is available from Silver Woods Mary Cerami at 302-745-7004.

Look to see you there!

Congrats to Craftsmen Developers for Site Certification

Our best goes out to Craftsmen Developers, on earning the first 4-Star Site Certification in Delaware under the National Green Building Certification Program. Our own Joe Gordon (one of the top 5 Verifiers in the Country) was happy to provide the Accredited Verifier services needed in order for Craftsmen to achieve this pinnacle of honor.

If you want to learn more about obtaining certification for your residential site or new homes, please contact Howard Fortunato at 302-323-9377.

Here is Craftsmen's article: http://craftsmendevelopers.wordpress.com/2010/08/24/wharton%E2%80%99s-bluff-in-delaware-is-first-site-on-east-coast-to-earn-nahb-research-centers-4-star-green-land-development-certification-2/

LandmarkJCM Boasts one of the Top 5 Green Building Verifiers in the Country

Reprint from recent NAHBRC Verifier Update Report:

Celebrating Our Verifiers Extraordinaire

As the National Green Building Certification Program celebrates moving past its 1,000th certification, we wanted to take an opportunity to thank all of our Accredited Verifiers for serving as in-field ambassadors for the program and the National Green Building Standard.
In particular, we also want to give a special shout out to our highest-volume verifiers. These individuals have distinguished themselves by providing verification services for 25 homes or more since they received their accreditation.

As of June 8, 2010, Joe Gordon has the fourth -highest volume of Verifiers in the Nation. Moved from 5th place to 4th!

Joe Gordon is an Environmental Scientist and Green Building Verifier working out of our Georgetown, Delaware Office. As one of the most experienced Green Building Verifiers in the country, Joe can add real value to your project. For example, he recently alerted a builder about a faulty insulation installation just before it was covered with drywall. This saved the builder from building a less energy efficient home with unhappy customers.

To learn more about the benefits of Green Building and how LandmarkJCM can help you, contact Howard Fortunato.

Congratulations Joe!

Another Successful Pig Roast

The Green Building Council of the HBADE held their third annual Pig Roast, and it was as popular as ever.

Several speakers promoted green building, discussing pervious pavement and house wrap. DNREC Secretary Collin O'Mara, flanked by several aides, offered his comments about our new co-jointly-assembled Green 4 Green new home rebate program. As most are aware, each home must be certified green - by the National Green Building Program, as endorsed by HBADE, or LEED.

Perfect sunny weather combined with the star of the day - the pig. Great food, a little education, a lot of marketing interaction and entertainment combined to make this a successful event.

Congrats to the Green Building Council and the HBADE.

Zero Energy Homes First Gold NGBS Standard in DE

Congrats to Lance Manlove at Zero Energy Homes for completing the first Gold Certified home in Delaware under the National Green Building Standard! This program, unveiled in 2009, promotes greater enhancements in energy and water efficiency, indoor air quality and all the other aspects which are contained in the orignal Green Building Guidelines. While the original Guidelines program brought many green certified homes in Delaware, it has been recently replaced with the Standard program.

This beautiful home in Rehoboth Beach includes many green aspects including geothermal heating and cooling, wide use of local/indigenous materials, low flow plumbing fixtures and loads of other green features. What a truly green home!

Congrats again to Lance Manlove and Zero Energy Homes for achieving this First!

FIRST ANNUAL GREEN FEST A SUCCESS

The First Annual Green Fest, put on by the Green Building Council and the Home Builder’s Association of Delaware, was a great success, held this past Sunday.

Held on Legislative Mall in Dover, this was the first time for this green themed earth day event. Despite somewhat cold wind, temps 50’s and sun in and out, everyone seemed to enjoy the beautiful day. There was music all day, storytelling to kids and kids friendly activities, a fashion show, exhibits and more, all taken in by an estimated 1,000 attendees.

The Air Quality Partnership of Delaware participated to educate people about air quality and they held a press conference to announce the start of the air quality monitoring season. The main speakers at the press conference was DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara and Dover Mayor Carleton Carey.

LandmarkJCM was happy to attend and support our green building clients. The NAHB Research Center participated as an exhibitor and explained the benefits of certified green building to many attendees. Of course we brought our collection of wild critters, always a popular draw.

Congrats to all who participated, sponsored, and helped make this a reality. Special congrats to HBADE and their dedicated and tireless staff for creating and holding this exciting event. We’re sure it will become an annual event not to be missed.