Now Under Construction - Quality in Every Detail

Phase 2 Team

I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as a member of the Heartwood Phase 2 development team! My name is Colton Wanner and I’m the Assistant Project Manager for Phase 2, bringing my experience in construction and real estate to the table to help Mac ensure that we can deliver the highest-quality homes with as few hiccups along the way as possible. 

I have spent the last 8 years working in residential construction in different forms: handyman repairs, remodels, home additions and new construction. My interest in this project came from a desire to learn more about modern, high-efficiency homes and the development process as a whole, so I jumped on it. And build awesome homes, we will.

I will join Mac in sending periodic P2 Update newsletters. Seeing as one of my primary roles once home and carport construction begins will be quality control, I’ll be focusing on construction quality in the newsletters I write. One of our foundational development mantras is, "Quality in Every Detail” and that will be the theme of my newsletters. 

---

A road grader builds a new emergency access road through our Ponderosa pine forest. Preparing for possible forest fires is a top priority in our Phase 2 development.

---

Infrastructure will Soon be Finished

Crews and machines have been hard at work at Heartwood with Phase 2 infrastructure scheduled to be finished within the next week. This progress lays the foundation of the community, bringing utilities to the future homesites and welcome upgrades to the existing community’s sewer and irrigation systems. 

This also means the neighborhood is taking shape! The new central walkway, which will be the backbone of the new neighborhood, has been graded with parking areas at the north and south ends and excavation of basements has begun, making it easy to start imagining how it will feel to stroll through the new community. 

Once infrastructure is finished and approved, we can begin the process of getting building permits to start building homes and carports. To keep on schedule, we have finalized placement of home models on lots. We will build nine Ponderosa model homes and five Juniper model homes. The Aspen model has been dropped from the offerings. As of this writing, five Ponderosas and four Junipers are still available! While the models have been selected, we are still able to offer customization options for a limited time so buyers joining now can select finishes such as flooring, countertops and upgraded wood doors. 

---

Mac leads some of the Heartwood kids on a tour of the central walkway through Phase 2.

---

A House to Last for Generations

Our goal in designing the Phase 2 homes was to provide the best value, high-quality and energy-efficient structure for households to make into a home. To achieve this, we are building the homes to the latest standards in building code and net-zero initiatives including the Department of Energy’s ZERH (Zero Energy Ready Home) program, Wildland-Urban Interface fire code and the National Center for Healthy Housing’s principles of a healthy home. 

We like to think of this as making a great steak instead of selling the sizzle. Every detail in the home designs have been meticulously planned to make for a comfortable home that stays warm in the winter, cool in the summer, is free of toxic chemicals and is ready to add solar and become net zero (or better) with energy usage.

---

Electric transformer, meter pedestals, and trenches have been installed. Our geodesic dome greenhouse, which will be in the center of the 14 Phase 2 homes, is in the background.

---

I’ve put together a list of these details, which highlight the quality we are building into every home as a standard. 

Foundation

• Insulated and sealed foundation with drainage board to help prevent movement and settling.
• Expanded window wells standard to allow for a more livable, naturally lit basements.
• Infrastructure in place for future finishing or utility use of the basement. Floor drains are in place (no tearing up concrete) and the electric panel has capacity for the addition.

Structure

• All materials and systems chosen to maintain a healthy home including zero-VOC paints and top of the line ERV ventilation.
• Foam insulation and air sealing in addition to traditional insulation create an air-tight home for maximum energy efficiency. Less than one air exchange per hour ensures no drafts.
• Fire-resistant design and material selection with metal roofing, fiber cement and stucco siding and fire-resistant decking materials.
• Top-of-the-line windows and doors minimize heat loss at the most vulnerable points. Both vinyl and wood window options have low U-values that minimize heat transfer while allowing enough radiant light through to help heat the home in the winter. 
• Passive solar home designs maximize the use of natural energy and heat from the sun, keeping the house cool in summer and warm in winter. 

Mechanical

• Advanced ERV system provides continuous ventilation with outside air while keeping heat in, minimizing heating and cooling requirements while maximizing fresh air in the house.
• High-efficiency heat pump systems minimize energy use for heating, air conditioning and water heating.
• Homes are solar-ready to accommodate future rooftop solar systems. This includes conduit from the electrical panel to the roof, making installing a solar system easier, less expensive, and less intrusive and unsightly. 
• Wood stove-ready means chimney equipment is already installed through the roof, making it cheaper and easier to install a wood stove for natural heating and warm ambience. 

Other Initiatives

• All homes will be certified for the Department of Energy’s  Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program, which has standards set beyond building code requirements so that certified homes are able to completely offset their energy use with a renewable energy system like photovoltaic (PV) solar. 
• A 2-10 home warranty comes standard with every home and covers any structural and mechanical issues as well as issues related to defects in materials and workmanship. 
• Carports will have easy access to power for a future EV charger and two EV chargers will be installed in the south parking lot for community use (power use tracked via phone app).

---

A summer rain and late afternoon sun gave us a rainbow over our new storm water detention pond.

---

Why Join Now?

Because construction is underway, very soon we'll need to decide which options and upgrades each home will receive. Certain home features will have an optional upgrade available, such as the window package, cabinet package, wood interior doors, wood paneled ceilings, flooring, etc. The builder needs to know these selections so he can place orders and have the materials arrive on time. If you have been considering moving into Phase 2, now is the time to act so you you won't miss out on being able to choose your home's options and upgrades.

The sooner you become a committed Phase 2 Homebuyer, the more choices you will have. There will be more lots available to choose from. There will be more carports to choose from. You will be able to select your home's options and upgrades.

Current committed Phase 2 Homebuyers have already selected their models and lots. If you are the next household to commit to being a Phase 2 Homebuyer, you will be the next one to choose your home and lot from those still available. Maybe the most important reason to get off the sideline and into the game is because we are building only 14 more homes. Once all 14 spots are taken, the opportunity window closes. There will not be a Heartwood Phase 3. See our ​About Phase 2 webpage for details.

---

An excavator prepares a drainage swale at the north end of the Phase 2 cluster.

---

Yours in Community,
Colton

Phase 2 Assistant Project Manager