To answer the call for low operating costs and long-term value, many builders are constructing new homes with a range of energy-efficient building practices and features. Energy Trust of Oregon’s Energy Performance Score helps trade ally builders frame the value of the energy-efficient features they include in their homes. The EPS—which estimates a home’s energy consumption, energy costs and carbon footprint—is based on many factors, such as the home’s size, insulation level, air leakage, heating and cooling systems, major appliances, lighting and water heating. To determine the score, a third-party verifier analyzes a home’s features and construction techniques, including testing air leakage.

Today, builders across Oregon increasingly use EPS as a marketing tool to distinguish their high-efficiency homes from other homes on the market. Real estate professionals rely on it as a simple way to show buyers a home’s estimated operating costs. And buyers appreciate the peace of mind that comes with a home that is tested and verified to perform.

Read the entire case study: Leveraging EPS As a Sales Tool

A Northwest ENERGY STAR Home is one that is at least 15% more efficient than a home built
to standard building codes. For Legend Homes, building to the Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes specifications provided the baseline needed to take their energy efficient and sustainable building practices even further.

Since 2007, Legend Homes has developed and promoted their “EarthSmart” homes, which incorporate energy efficiency, innovative sustainability, structural longevity and indoor air quality. New construction that bears both the EarthSmart and Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes certifications are proof of Legend Homes’ long-term commitment to building homes with low monthly energy costs and minimal environmental impact down the road.

LEGEND HOMES

INNOVATION & EDUCATION MAKE LEGEND HOMES A NORTHWEST ENERGY STAR

A long-term commitment to sustainability
Legend Homes has been designing and building homes since 1965 and in recent years has added energy efficiency, conservation and long-term cost-effectiveness to its primary goals of excellent design and state-of-the-art building practices. They’ve developed their own energy efficient home brand, EarthSmart, which combines Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes and Earth Advantage certifications with Legend’s own eco-conscious building practices to provide homes that are affordable and high quality.

Innovative building features include:

• House tightening & air sealing
• Polar blanket wall insulation
• Recycled construction materials and local vendors & suppliers ▪ Water saving fixtures & systems
• Whole home fresh air ventilation system
• Low VOC paints
• 95% efficient furnace
• Longer lasting compact fluorescent lighting
• Heating ducts located in living space to avoid heating unwanted areas
• Photovoltaic Solar options available
• Dual flush toilets that reduce water consumption & costs

Ensuring energy efficiency and quality
To ensure that every home they build meets ENERGY STAR specifications, home builder Legend Homes employs both a Best Practices Task Force and a Quality Assurance Inspector. The Task Force continually evaluates building practices, pinpoints areas for improvement and researches new energy efficiency features. They work closely with third-party experts and specialty contractors who might improve the homes’ efficiency even further. Additionally, they pass on their knowledge about the latest innovations through training and continuing education for subcontractors.

Educating homeowners into the future
Legend takes great pride in educating their homeowners about the technology in their homes and how to increase their savings through sustainable living and energy conservation. Each new homeowner is provided with an owner’s manual with photos of their home’s construction and detailed information about the building process, helping the owner to understand and commit to sustainable living. (And it’s all on a thumb drive, to keep things green!)

View the full PDF version of the article here.

Portland, Ore. – May 2 – Northwest ENERGY STAR® has named Legend Homes as the 2010-2011 Regional Builder of the Year award for outstanding accomplishments and contributions in the field of energy efficient home building. The annual awards program, now in its fifth year, recognizes builders and verification companies that support the advancement of Northwest ENERGY STAR new homes throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. As Regional Builder of the Year, Legend Homes will be featured on the program’s website, www.NorthwestENERGYSTAR.com, over the next year.

“We are so impressed by the dedication of ENERGY STA R builders to continue to build high quality, energy efficient homes in a market where downward price pressures are causing many builders to cut costs and cut corners. ENERGY STAR builders’ commitment to excellence is exemplified by Legend Homes who is a true leader in building high performance, energy efficient homes and educating the home buyer on the importance of energy efficiency and better quality construction.”

Homes earning the ENERGY STAR label are at least 15 percent more efficient than homes built to standard state building codes. During 2010, Legend Homes built 60 ENERGY STAR certified homes in Oregon. The awards are judged on a range of criteria including the number of ENERGY STAR certified homes built, marketing and sales efforts for certified homes, commitment to quality control standards, and other contributions and success related to the ENERGY STAR program.

“Our primary intention for producing our EarthSmart energy-efficient line of homes was to bring a higher level of energy efficiency and a sustainable-lifestyle benchmark to the mainstream,” said Jim Chapman, president of Legend Homes. “Ultimately, our goal was to redesign and right-size our homes to fit a more affordable, sustainable and efficient style of living, in addition to providing a precedent in order to help lead the homebuilding industry into the future.”

In 2010, 3,207 Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes were constructed by more than 1,600 active builders in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. Since the program’s inception, 11,337 homes have been certified. In order to gain certification, homes are performance-tested and inspected by an independent third party to ensure all requirements are met to earn the ENERGY STAR label. ENERGY STAR qualified homes employ a combination of energy efficient construction practices, such as increased insulation, tightly sealed ducts tested to ensure comfort in every room, high-efficiency windows, heating and cooling equipment, lighting, and appliances. The result is better-built, more comfortable homes that save energy and money every month.

About ENERGY STAR and Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Today, the ENERGY STAR program delivers the technical information and tools that organizations and consumers need to choose energy-efficient solutions. For a complete list of ENERGY STAR qualified products, retailers, manufacturers and energy savings information, call 1-888-373-2283 or log onto: www.energystar.gov.

ENERGY STAR qualified homes in Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Washington are built by home builders participating in the Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes program, which is funded by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA). NEEA is a non-profit corporation supported by the Bonneville Power Administration, electric utilities, public benefits administrators, state governments, public interest groups and energy efficiency industry representatives. These entities work together to make affordable, energy-efficient products and services available in the marketplace. In 2009, NEEA was awarded the EPA’s ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award in part due to the implementation of the Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes program. For more information regarding NEAA, visit: www.neea.org. Consumers can learn more about ENERGY STAR qualified homes by visiting www.northwestENERGYSTAR.com or calling 1-800-539-9362.

About Legend Homes

At Legend Homes, our goal is to provide you with more than just a solidly-built new home. Better plans, more standard features, a strong focus on energy conservation and efficiency and state-of-the art building practices are what drive Legend Homes to be the very best. And, as the proven market leader, Legend Homes is committed to providing the best new home value and the best homebuying experience for our homebuyers. The history of Legend Homes is more than just the passage of time. The commitment, foresight, and craftsmanship that began more than 40 years ago is evident in the communities that thousands of Oregonians now call home. The guarantee of this legacy continues today in the new neighborhoods being built in the Portland metropolitan and Corvallis areas. At Legend Homes, our commitment to our homebuyers is simple and straightforward. We stand solidly behind every home we build. From our beautifully planned neighborhoods in choice locations, to the fine craftsmanship and materials used in every home, to the way we treat you before, during and after the sale, the Legend experience is …… legendary. Please visit www.LegendHomes.com for more information.

Portland, Oregon – Legend Homes is pleased to announce that it has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a 2011 ENERGY STAR Leadership in Housing Award.  This award recognizes the important contribution Legend Homes has made to energy-efficient construction and environmental protection by building more than 56 ENERGY STAR qualified homes last year.  Collectively, these homes will save our customers approximately 25,000 on utility bills each year.

The environmental benefits of these ENERGY STAR qualified homes are equal to the equivalent of:

• Eliminating the emissions from 27 vehicles;
• Saving 166 lbs of coal;
• Planting 45 acres of trees; or
• Saving the environment 325 pounds of CO2 per year.

To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 20% more efficient than standard new homes built today.

“Our primary intention for producing our EarthSmart energy-efficient line of homes was to bring a higher level of energy efficiency and a sustainable-lifestyle benchmark to the mainstream,” said Jim Chapman, president of Legend Homes. “Ultimately, our goal was to redesign and right-size our homes to fit a more affordable, sustainable and efficient style of living, in addition to providing a precedent in order to help lead the homebuilding industry into the future.”

ENERGY STAR qualified homes offer homebuyers all the features they want in a new home, plus energy-saving features like effective insulation systems, high performance windows, tight construction and ducts, properly-sized and installed efficient heating and cooling equipment, efficient products, and third-party verification of energy performance.

“While other builders may claim to build energy-efficient homes, ENERGY STAR builder partners back it up,” said Jonathan Passe, Acting Manager for EPA’s ENERGY STAR Residential Branch.  “Their houses undergo a rigorous independent inspection and testing process to ensure that they deliver real efficiency, comfort, durability, and value for homebuyers.”

Last year alone, with the help of ENERGY STAR and partners, Americans saved about $18 billion on their utility bills and avoided greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 33 million vehicles. Nearly 1.2 million ENERGY STAR homes have been built in the United States since the program first began labeling homes in 1995.

About Legend Homes

At Legend Homes, our goal is to provide you with more than just a solidly-built new home.  Better plans, more standard features, a strong focus on energy conservation and efficiency and state-of-the art building practices are what drive Legend Homes to be the very best.  And, as the proven market leader, Legend Homes is committed to providing the best new home value and the best home buying experience for our homebuyers. The history of Legend Homes is more than just the passage of time.  The commitment, foresight, and craftsmanship that began more than 40 years ago is evident in the communities that thousands of Oregonians now call home.  The guarantee of this legacy continues today in the new neighborhoods being built in the Portland metropolitan and Corvallis areas.  At Legend Homes, our commitment to our homebuyers is simple and straightforward.  We stand solidly behind every home we build. From our beautifully planned neighborhoods in choice locations, to the fine craftsmanship and materials used in every home, to the way we treat you before, during and after the sale, the Legend experience is …… legendary.  Please visit www.LegendHomes.com for more information.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 126,000 new homes were constructed to meet ENERGY STAR guidelines in 2010, by partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

PORTLAND, Ore. – March 17, 2011 – The Better Living Home, Garden & Lifestyle Show, the Northwest‘s largest sustainable lifestyle event, will pack the Portland Expo Center with inspiring, sustainable home and garden ideas, March 25 – 27. Whether a person is looking to build a new home from scratch or update an existing home with sustainability and energy savings in mind, the Better Living Show has something for everyone.

Going Green with the Blue Home
The Blue Home, created by NW Natural for the Better Living Show, is a 1,100-square-foot installation, showcasing the ultimate in sustainable, natural gas living. Visitors will be inspired when they see the latest in building and eco-friendly design from Legend Homes and Progressive Builders Northwest. New this year, cutting edge technologies like Honda‘s Freewatt® heating and power system, stylish green decor, behind-the-wall views of sustainable construction, and demos in universal design in the kitchen and bathroom.

On the  ‘Build Green’ side of the home, Legend Homes demonstrates high-performance design modeled after its EarthSmart™ Homes. Attendees are able to take a sneak-peek behind the walls of the EarthSmart™ Home and see how the construction process sets it apart from other builders in exceeding Oregon‘s energy code—giving homeowners a $99 monthly energy bill guarantee. For those looking to update an existing home, the  ‘Remodel Green’ side by Progressive Builders Northwest demonstrates how to make sustainable upgrades. Progressive Builders Northwest will also illustrate principles of universal design in a state-of-the-art bathroom and kitchen, helping homeowners use thoughtful remodeling to create a house that transitions with them, no matter what stage of life they are in.

New features outside of the house include a Flattop Grill or  ‘social grill’ by Evo®, a 30″ diameter surface designed for a social chef in mind; a living wall to keep the house cool in the summer; a kitchen garden for easy back-door harvesting of vegetables; and an alternative to front lawns no-fuss groundcover, all designed by the Association of Professional Landscape Designers. Show-goers can watch grilling demonstrations by local chefs from Milo‘s City Café and The Resort at the Mountain, among others, on the social grill and enter to win an Evo® of their own.

Energy-Saving Solutions with Energy Trust of Oregon
Energy Trust will help show-goers unlock the best energy-saving ideas for their homes at the Good Energy Pavilion. Inside Energy Trust‘s ―Key to Good Energy‖ booth, guests can explore hands-on displays that showcase a variety of money-saving, energy-efficient ideas (from lighting to solar, to refrigerator recycling) and reveal some common energy wasters many homes have hidden in their walls. Energy advisors will be on hand to offer personalized guidance and help guests create their own plans for energy savings. Utility customers can even sign up for some free energy-savers from Energy Trust right from the show and check their Home Energy Profile at the computer kiosks. Also at the Good Energy Pavilion, attendees can learn how to tap into solar, wind, geothermal and other renewable resources and find out how cash incentives from Energy Trust and state and federal tax credits can help make renewable power more affordable.

Visitors will have an opportunity to learn from the energy experts during the OSU Seminar Series, which features topics including smart energy-saving solutions and the basics of going solar (for homes and businesses).

Gardening Advice with Local Experts
For the gardening enthusiasts and do-it-yourselfers, Oregon State University (OSU) brings experts in various sustainable home, garden and lifestyle topics for an informational Seminar Series, each day of the show. Each hour, two new topics will begin, featuring local and OSU Extension Service experts on topics including gardening, composting, pest management and food preservation. Additionally, attendees can listen to talks by authors, Carol Deppe of The Resilient Gardener and Tara Rae Miner of Your Green Abode. Master Gardeners will also provide quick tips on topics like pruning, starting a garden, raised bed gardening and starting a worm bin on Saturday and Sunday, during OSU‘s extremely popular 10-Minute University program at their booth.

Featured Home and Garden Presentations Will Include:

• Raise Your Home Energy IQ
• Food Preservation – The Basics
• Native Plants for Birds, Bees and Butterflies
• Eat Your Landscape
• Raised Bed Vegetable Gardening
• Basics of Going Solar for Homes/Businesses
• Climate Friendly Gardening
• Vegetable Gardening Year Round
• Urban Backyard Composting
• Rain Gardens
• Green Remodeling
• Slugs and Snails
• Backyard Honeybee Keeping
• Making Biodiesel
• Living with Backyard Chickens

For a complete list of seminars, details, dates and times, click here.

About the Better Living Show
Free to the public, the Better Living Show, the Northwest‘s largest sustainable lifestyle event, takes place Friday, March 25 from noon – 9 p.m.; Saturday, March 26 from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; and Sunday, March 27 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Portland Expo Center. The Better Living Show is designed to empower attendees to become more thoughtful consumers and lessen their impact on the environment by learning about sustainable, healthy and practical lifestyle products and services. The Better Living Show is part of the National Home and Garden Show Series presented by DISH Network. Official show sponsors include Energy Trust of Oregon, NW Natural, American Family Insurance, Ford Motor Company, Portland Tribune and Portland General Electric. For more information, click here.

Combined, the discounts on the eight high-efficiency EarthSmart solar homes at EdgeWater total over $200,000. The homes also feature designer selected interiors and range in size from 1463 to 2092 SF with up to three bedrooms and three baths. In addition, all the homes come with Legend Homes’ Energy Bill Guarantee. The sustainably built EarthSmart Homes can save their owners up to 50% on their monthly whole home energy cost.

“The sale at EdgeWater is offering buyers more than just fantastic deals on solar homes that are sustainably built, affordably priced and engineered to help pay for themselves,” said Jim Chapman, President of Legend Homes. “This sale provides an opportunity for buyers to live in a forward-thinking community with a wide variety of lifestyle-friendly amenities, such as a children’s play area, tennis and basketball courts, a neighborhood park and more. Plus, eleven acres of wetland area surround the park, offering a beautiful green buffer for the community.”

The National Association of Home Builders Land Development publication showcased Legend Homes’ EdgeWater on the Tualatin community in their Fall 2010 edition. The featured article spoke to EdgeWater’s sustainable offerings and affordable livability as well as Legend’s fresh approach to environmentally aware, 21^st century home building and forward-thinking commitment to solar.

About Legend Homes: Legend Homes was established in 1965 and has been building green since 2003. Award-winning Legend Homes delivers superior plan designs, well-appointed standard features, and cost-saving energy-conservation amenities. They utilize state-of-the-art building practices and ensure that all homes are EarthAdvantage®-certified. Besides exceptionally well-built homes, many Legend communities feature neighborhood parks, and green spaces, as well as walking and nature paths. It is Legend’s mission to be the leader in quality, value and community through integrity, innovation and pride.

“At Legend Homes, being a part of the community and the commitment that entails is built in to our corporate philosophy,” said Jim Chapman, President of Legend Homes. “Everyone on our team is dedicated to constantly learning more about our industry as well as making community involvement a priority.”

This year Legend Homes President Jim Chapman also became President of the Oregon Home Builders Association (OHBA) and part of the EarthAdvantage® Institute’s Board of Directors, where he will serve until 2014. Vice President Mike Goodrich was elected OHBA Education Chairman this year and has been a member of the Philomath School District Budget Committee since 2010. Legend Homes’ Quality Assurance Manager, Carol Helms, is currently serving as President of the Portland Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and continues her volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity-All Women Build, Mentoring A Girl in Construction, a free Summer Construction Camp for High School Girls, and has also had the opportunity to travel to South Africa with People to People and NAWIC to study building practices in South Africa.

About Legend Homes: Legend Homes was established in 1965 and has been building green since 2003. Award-winning Legend Homes delivers superior plan designs, well-appointed standard features, and cost-saving energy-conservation amenities. They utilize state-of-the-art building practices and ensure that all homes are EarthAdvantage®-certified. Besides exceptionally well-built homes, many Legend communities feature neighborhood parks, and green spaces, as well as walking and nature paths. It is Legend’s mission to be the leader in quality, value and community through integrity, innovation and pride.

Portland, Ore. – Legend Homes announces the launch of their Fall Sale Event, which will run September 30, 2010 through October 24, 2010. The kickoff event will be held on Saturday, October 2nd, and Sunday, October 3rd, from 12pm to 6pm, at their Village at Orenco community in Hillsboro, located at 6446 NE Southbrook Court.

Legend Homes’ Fall Sale Event offers significant savings of up to $25,000 on new, move-in ready homes in their communities throughout Oregon.

“The Legend Homes Fall Sale Event is presenting buyers with affordable livability that is also good for the environment as well as the pocketbook,” said Jim Chapman, President of Legend Homes. “With over 30 homes available in a variety of our communities, we know that homebuyers will find a fantastic deal on the home of their dreams in a community that is perfect for their lifestyle.”

To promote the Fall Sale, Legend Homes is hosting Open House events every weekend in various communities. The Village at Orenco Open House will also feature the radio crew from KINK FM on Saturday, October 2nd, from noon to 2pm. Snacks and refreshments will be available to visitors. Guests can also enter to win a 42” Plasma TV with wall mount during the four-week sale at any Legend Homes community.

About Legend Homes: Legend Homes was established in 1965 and has been building green since 2003. Award-winning Legend Homes delivers superior plan designs, well-appointed standard features, and cost-saving energy-conservation amenities. They utilize state-of-the-art building practices and ensure that all homes are EarthAdvantage®-certified. Besides exceptionally well-built homes, many Legend communities feature neighborhood parks, and green spaces, as well as walking and nature paths. It is Legend’s mission to be the leader in quality, value and community through integrity, innovation and pride.

Corvallis, Ore. – Legend Homes announces the Grand Opening of its brand new Efficient Living Collection of Homes at Willamette Landing in Corvallis. The Grand Opening Event will be held on Sunday, August 22nd from 12pm to 4pm in Willamette Landing located at 3172 SE Everglade St., Corvallis, Oregon 97333.

The Grand Opening will offer Pedi-cab rides, guided tours of the community and of the new Efficient Living Collection model homes. Visitors are eligible for giveaways and complimentary coffee drinks, smoothies and snacks will be made available to guests.

Willamette Landing’s Efficient Living Collection features built-in cost-saving amenities in order to be more sustainable as well as leave a smaller footprint.

“The quality of our Efficient Living Collection of Homes is truly unmatched,” said Mike Goodrich, VP of Legend’s Corvallis Division. “Not only does this new collection offer affordable livability through eco-conscious building and design, the homes also come with a $75 Energy Bill Guarantee. That means we guarantee that the energy bill of an Efficient Living Collection Home won’t exceed an average of $75 per month. Plus, the entire community of Willamette Landing offers a quality of life that we know visitors will love. This neighborhood also includes scenic walking paths, a pool and basketball court, in addition to many other amenities.”

Willamette Landing offers homes with up to 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and 2,353 square feet, starting in the $220’s. The community is located on the banks of the Willamette River and is located just south of downtown Corvallis.

About Willamette Landing: The community of Willamette Landing features a full recreation center consisting of a comfortable great room with complete kitchen and fireplace. The oversized exercise room includes treadmills, an elliptical machine, a recumbent bike, universal weight machine and free weights. Two in-ground exterior pools, one specifically for children, overlook the Willamette River. In addition, in a five-acre neighborhood setting, the Riverbend Public City Park is centrally located and features play structures, a covered picnic area, full basketball court, restrooms and open play area. Scenic Willamette Park is just around the corner and in easy walking distance from Willamette Landing. This beautifully wooded 287-acre park lies along the banks of the Willamette River offers boating, walking trails and wildlife for the nature enthusiast.

About Legend Homes: Legend Homes was established in 1965 and has been building green since 2003. Award-winning Legend Homes delivers superior plan designs, well-appointed standard features, and cost-saving energy-conservation amenities. They utilize state-of-the-art building practices and ensure that all homes are Energy Star and EarthAdvantage® certified. Besides exceptionally well-built homes, many Legend communities feature neighborhood parks, and green spaces, as well as walking and nature paths. It is Legend’s mission to be the leader in quality, value and community through integrity, innovation and pride.

To learn more about Willamette Landing visit www.legendhomes.com

The grand opening will also feature radio crews from KINK and KUPL. The stations will be giving away concert tickets for notable musicians Jakob Dylan and Eric Church. Complimentary hors d’ oeuvres and refreshments will be available for attendees who take part in the tour.

Legend at Villebois features EarthSmart homes that have built-in cost-saving amenities in order to be more sustainable as well as leave a smaller footprint.

“Visitors to Villebois will quickly discover for themselves why it was named 2010 National Community of the Year by the National Association of Home Builders. We are proud of this vibrant community, its eco-friendly homes and the opportunity to present buyers with affordable livability that is good for the environment as well as the pocketbook,” said Jim Chapman, President of Legend Homes.

Legend at Villebois offers EarthSmart homes with up to 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, and 2,300+ square feet starting in the $340’s. The community is modeled after a traditional European village with single-family homes surrounding an urban core of restaurant and retail locations, lofts, townhomes, condominiums and apartments.

About Legend at Villebois: With more than 150 acres of green space, neighborhood parks, walking paths and trails, Legend at Villebois offers an ideal community for living, working, and playing. At the center of this exciting new community is an inviting plaza comprised of sidewalk cafes and shops that overlook pedestrian-friendly paths, trails and tree-lined streets connecting to parks, woods and open green spaces. Villebois was named the 2010 Community of the Year by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) at The National Sales and Marketing Awards. The winner of the prestigious Community of the Year Award is selected from new communities throughout the country. Villebois and, previously, Orenco Station in Hillsboro, Oregon are the only communities in the Pacific Northwest to receive this top honor.

About Legend Homes: Legend Homes was established in 1965 and has been building green since 2003. Award-winning Legend Homes delivers superior plan designs, well-appointed standard features, and cost-saving energy-conservation amenities. They utilize state-of-the-art building practices and ensure that all homes are EarthAdvantage® and Energy Star® certified. Besides exceptionally well-built homes, many Legend communities feature neighborhood parks, and green spaces, as well as walking and nature paths. It is Legend’s mission to be the leader in quality, value and community through integrity, innovation and pride.

To learn more about Villebois visit www.legendhomes.com

Hillsboro, Ore. June 8, 2010 – Legend Homes’ Village at Orenco community was selected as a destination for the U.S.A study tour organized by Zenkenren and the Japanese Builder’s Network. These prominent Japanese associations handpicked Legend Homes because of Legend’s commitment to 3rd party certifications and eco-friendly new home design and construction.

The groups toured Legend Homes’ Village at Orenco community, which meets Earth Advantage® and Energy Star requirements for energy efficiency, indoor air quality, environmental responsibility and resource efficiency. The goal of the tour was to research and assess general building trends. The group of 30 building industry professionals split into four tour groups and were presented with information regarding inspection systems, such as government code inspections, third-party inspections and certifications, builder’s inspections and checklists as well as buyer turnover and warranty processes. The event culminated in a hospitality gathering and model tour led by Jim Chapman, President of Legend Homes.

“It was an honor that Legend Homes’ Village at Orenco community was selected as a destination by the delegates. We were so pleased with their interest and enthusiasm and the tour was a tremendous success for all involved,” said Jim Chapman, President of Legend Homes.

Village at Orenco is located in the heart of renowned Orenco station, within walking distance to the Max Light Rail as well as the growing Orenco Station shopping center, offering easy access to Hillsboro’s employment centers as well as both Hwy 26 and I-5. This popular community boasts a large centrally located park featuring a basketball half-court, sports court, playground and open play area with picnic tables and gazebo. In addition, every home’s front-yard landscaping is maintained by the homeowners association to ensure an idyllic neighborhood aesthetic.

Village at Orenco’s Furnished Model is open weekly, Friday through Tuesday, 12 to 6 PM.
For more information, send an e-mail to VillageatOrenco@legendhomes.com or call 503-530-8457.

To visit this community, take Hwy 26, travel S on Cornelius Pass Rd., W on NW Cornell, S on NW 231st, and W on NE Orenco Ridge Ct.

About Zenkenren and the Japan Builder’s Network: Zenkenren is the Federation of All Japan Builders Association, established in 1971, and the only national builder association sanctioned by The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. JBN, or the Japan Builder’s Network, is an affiliate of the Federation of All Japan Builders Association. Their purpose is to address the demands of society, market changes and current trends in building.

“This restructuring is an important milestone for the company,” noted Jim Chapman.  “Despite the effects of the industry downturn and recession, we are focused on the future and building homes optimized for the 21st century.”

Faced with a surplus of land debt and new home inventory as the economy weakened, Matrix Development, parent company of Legend Homes, filed for Chapter 11 in June of 2008. Since the filing, the Legend Homes leadership team has been trailblazing a new model of sustainable home construction and is the first production builder in the Northwest to systematize sustainable construction, solar energy system installation and multiple other green features, including energy and water efficiency, improved indoor air quality and responsible construction processes. The court announced today that the company has maintained the financial stability to successfully exit Chapter 11 on June 1.  The name of the newly restructured company will be Legend Homes Corporation.

“We believe Legend Homes is well-positioned to lead the reinvention of Oregon’s home building industry,” added Chapman.

About Legend Homes
Founded in Portland, Oregon in 1965, Legend Homes is the award-winning builder of more than 12,000 home sites, homes, town homes and condominiums in planned communities throughout Portland and Corvallis.  Their high-quality, green-built homes are crafted using advances in building science to ensure long-term ease of maintenance, structural integrity, better air quality and energy efficiency.  With five communities throughout the region, there are new homes designed to fit the needs of almost any prospective homebuyer.  For more information, visit www.legendhomes.com.

Editors note: Legend Homes President Jim Chapman is available for interviews. Call Mara Woloshin at 503-310-4504 for details.  Graphics and photographs that explain Legend Home’s sustainable construction practices are available electronically.

The crowd cheered the participants, tasted organic specialty foods from Chez Gourmet and Whole Foods, asked questions of expert green builders at Legend Homes, lined up for massages, and drank custom-brewed Earth Day beer from Hopworks. The run was a benefit for ACE Academy, a charter high school for students learning architecture, construction and engineering skills. Many runners brought old athletic shoes to be ground into new athletic surfaces through Nike’s ReUse A Shoe and Grind programs, and Energy Trust of Oregon’s fridge recycling staff provided coupons offering $50 dollars and free pick-up of old refrigerators.

“As a nonprofit green building resource and certification organization, we were tremendously excited to triple the runner participation in our flagship consumer sustainability event,” said Sean Penrith, executive director, Earth Advantage Institute. “The green living fair also enables us to reach out to families to communicate the value of a certified, healthier home as well as a more sustainable lifestyle. This year’s event held special significance because it coincided with Earth Advantage Institute’s 5-year anniversary as a nonprofit organization.”

# # #

Portland, Ore.—Jan 11, 2010 — Legend Homes today announced its end-of-the-year sale moved 19 of 22 homes, breaking Oregon’s trend of down home sales in the closing weeks of 2009.

The average sales price of homes in the Portland area was down 11.4 percent in November, according to the Association of Realtors, but closed sales were up 72.4 percent over the same time in 2008. Local realtors real say many homeowners were capitalizing on the federal housing tax credit historically low mortgage rates.

Legend home buyers enjoy a transferable, 10-year warranty plan, and they get Legend’s award-winning construction at prices lowered for this sale as much as $140,000 from the original asking price.

A leading builder in Portland since 1965, Legend Homes anticipates emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy filed in 2008 within the next 60 days. Company President Jim Chapman said Legend is well on its way to returning to a leading role among area homebuilders, with all-new solar homes – Legend EarthSmart Homes (LES).  The first completed homes will be unveiled in late January.

“We have expanded our vision of a sustainable home,” Chapman said. “Buyers who have always wanted but could not afford a green and sustainable home can now consider a Legend home.  This unique new home style has a footprint made smaller to decrease the environmental impact, is Earth Advantage certified, and has the newest and latest green technologies.”

Legend’s newly completed EarthSmart model home, located in “Edgewater on the Tualatin” in Tigard, opens for public tours Jan. 31.  A fully furnished model that demonstrates EarthSmart design is open Friday through Tuesday from noon to 5 p.m.  To reach Edgewater on the Tualatin take SW Pacific Hwy (99W), W on Beef Bend Rd, S on 131st, W on Fischer Rd.

Visit www.legendhomes.com to learn more.

About Legend Homes
Founded in Portland, Oregon in 1965, Legend Homes is the award-winning builder of more than 12,000 home sites, homes, town homes and condominiums in planned communities throughout Portland and Corvallis.  Their high-quality, green-built homes are crafted with premium materials to ensure structure strength, better air quality and energy efficiency.  With six communities throughout the region, there are new homes designed to fit the needs of almost any prospective homebuyer.  For more information, visit www.legendhomes.com. A recent survey indicates 99 percent of current Legend homeowners would recommend buying a Legend Home to their friends or families.

Portland, Ore.—Nov. 25, 2009 — A local leader in home building recently earned national recognition for their clever pitch to introduce Portland homebuyers to a revolutionary idea in sustainable living.

Legend Homes was honored with two silver Sales and Marketing Awards from the National Association of Home Builders for the company’s television and radio advertisements, both designed to promote Legend’s new EarthSmart homes.

The television and radio ads feature L.E.S. (Legend EarthSmart), a talking home that explains Legend’s new goal of creating smaller, affordable homes employing state-of-the-art building practices coupled with the company’s strong focus on energy and resource conservation.

The first EarthSmart solar home is nearly complete at the “Edgewater on the Tualatin” community, where solar is standard. It will be available for tours next month.

“We are honored to earn this kind of recognition,” said Legend President Jim Chapman. “We’re also really proud of our new ideas in home construction design. We anticipate Portland homebuyers will be excited to experience our new EarthSmart models.”

Legend’s ad campaign, produced by the local creative firm Art4orm, distinguished itself from competitors around the country and was among only a handful of entries to receive the silver awards. NAHB judges will select a gold medal winner from the small group of silver winners at the National Homebuilders Convention in January.

While the company regularly earns awards from the local and state homebuilders association,
Legend last earned a national award in 2006 for outstanding home design at Orenco Station in Hillsboro. In 2005, Legend earned three national awards — ironically, all were for the home designs in the Edgewater on the Tualatin community, located in King City.

Local sales of Legend homes have been brisk, as the company works to sell 22 of its move-in ready models by the end of the year. Half of the available models were sold during the first month of inventory reduction the sale as buyers capitalized on low prices, an $8,000 credit from Legend and up to $8,000 in federal tax credits for qualified buyers.

To watch the award-winning commercials, go to:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu_yWKFdc_8

For more information on the NAHB awards, go to:   http://www.thenationals.com/pages/winners/silver10.php

About Legend Homes

Founded in Portland, Oregon in 1965, Legend Homes is the award-winning builder of more than 12,000 home sites, homes, town homes and condominiums in planned communities throughout Portland and Corvallis.  Their high-quality, green-built homes are crafted with premium materials to ensure structure strength, better air quality and energy efficiency.  With six communities throughout the region, there are new homes designed to fit the needs of almost any prospective homebuyer.  For more information, visit www.legendhomes.com. A recent survey indicates 99 percent of current Legend homeowners would recommend buying a Legend Home to their friends or families.

Portland, Ore.- Nov. 17, 2009- Legend Homes today announced less than a dozen residences remain in their end-of-year clearance sale on move-in ready homes.

Nearly a dozen Portland-area families have found these incredible home values since the sale began last month. The homes also are covered by a transferable 10-year warranty plan. Buyers get Legend’s renowned construction quality at amazing prices – the homes in this sale have been reduced as much as $140,000 from the original asking price.

Legend has further sweetened its incentive to buyers by matching the up to $8,000 in available federal closing tax credit dollars for new homebuyers on all homes purchased by the end of the year.  Buyers can use the builder matching dollars for closing costs, or pre-paid expenses or both.

The clearance allows buyers to take advantage of Legend’s energy efficient and EarthAdvantage® certified construction at heavily discounted prices. Neighborhoods are located in Hillsboro, Tigard, Happy Valley and Wilsonville. Clearance homes represent a wide variety of floor plans, distinct architectural features and multiple amenities. Legend is known for unique streetscapes, and homeowners in these Legend communities enjoy neighborhood parks, greenspaces, walking and nature paths, and children’s play structures and sports courts.

Homebuyers can choose from floor plans ranging from 1,400 square feet to 2,900 square feet.  All homes include finishes like Brazilian cherry hardwood floors, slab granite kitchen countertops to stainless steel appliances. Most floorplans include vaulted master bedroom suites with spacious walk-in closets. Fenced backyards and irrigated landscaping are standard in all of these move-in ready homes. To preview clearance homes and get driving directions, go to  www.legendhomes.com.

Legend Homes President Jim Chapman said this inventory reduction sale leads the way for new Legend Home EarthSmart construction in 2010. EarthSmart homes, smaller and affordable, employ state-of-the-art building practices coupled with the company’s strong focus on energy and resource conservation. The first EarthSmart solar home is nearly complete at the “Edgewater on the Tualatin” community, and will be available for tours in January.

About Legend Homes - Founded in Portland, Oregon in 1965, Legend Homes is the award-winning builder of more than 12,000 home sites, homes, town homes and condominiums in planned communities throughout Portland and Corvallis.  Their high-quality, green-built homes are crafted with premium materials to ensure structure strength, better air quality and energy efficiency.  With six communities throughout the region, there are new homes designed to fit the needs of almost any prospective homebuyer.  For more information, visit www.legendhomes.com. A recent survey indicates 99 percent of current Legend homeowners would recommend buying a Legend Home to their friends or families.

Portland, Ore.—October 23, 2009—Legend Homes announced today an end of year clearance sale of the existing inventory of new homes.   Prices on 21 homes located in various Legend communities have been further reduced by as much as almost $140,000 from the original asking price.  Additionally, all buyers who close before December 31st, 2009 will receive an $8,000 closing credit.   All homes are covered under a new 10-year warranty plan.
“For home-buyers eligible for the federal government’s first-time buyer credit, this program means as much as $16,000 in additional  savings ,” said Jim Chapman, President of Legend Homes.  “These new homes represent some of the highest quality and most energy efficient homes on the market in the Portland Metro area.  This is a great offer for anyone looking to settle into a new home in time for the holidays.”
Legend Homes is considered the local leader in building affordable high quality, energy efficient homes with artisan appeal.  In the last 40+ years, Legend has built and sold more than 12,000 homes and homesites throughout Oregon.  A recent survey indicates 99% of current Legend homeowners would recommend buying a Legend Home to their friends or families.
The collection of homes represent a wide variety of floorplans, special architectural features and locations.  Sizes range from approximately 1,400 sqft to 2,500 sqft and have received special EarthAdvantage energy efficiency certification.  Many of the homes include designer luxuries such as Brazilian Cherry hardwood floors, slab granite kitchen countertops and stainless steel appliances.  Most floorplans include vaulted master suites with spacious walk-in closets.  Fenced backyards and irrigated landscaping are additional move-in ready amenities.
Homes are conveniently located in neighborhoods close to Hillsboro, Tigard, Happy Valley, Wilsonville and Lake Oswego.   Known for unique street-scapes, many Legend communities feature neighborhood parks, greenspaces, walking and nature paths, children’s play structures and sports courts.
About  Legend Homes
Founded in Portland, Oregon in 1965, Legend Homes is the award-winning builder of more than 12,000 home sites, homes, town homes and condominiums in planned communities throughout Portland and Corvallis.  Their high-quality, green-built homes are crafted with premium materials to ensure structure strength, better air quality and energy efficiency.  With seven communities throughout the region, there are new homes designed to fit the needs of almost any prospective homebuyer.  For more information, visit www.legendhomes.com.

Portland, Ore.—September 22, 2009—Legend Homes announced today that it is building a new line of affordable, energy efficient homes that include solar electric systems.  The first EarthSmart-branded homes will be built at Edgewater on the Tualatin, the new home community in Tigard, Oregon.  Legend Homes is the first builder in the Portland area to offer solar energy systems to customers buying production-built homes.  The new homes at Edgewater represent a pilot program to offer solar energy systems as a standard feature.   A ground-breaking celebration event is scheduled for Sunday, September 27^th at Edgewater on the Tualatin.
“Homebuyers today are focused more than ever on ensuring their homes deliver longterm value,” said Jim Chapman, President of Legend Homes.  “EarthSmart homes will not only be affordable for the average buyer, but they will deliver longterm cost savings in the form of lower energy bills.”
Legend EarthSmart homes will be more energy efficient and earth friendly than any production homes currently available in the Portland metro area.  All homes will meet the newest Energy Star requirements and, in many cases, exceed current energy efficiency criteria in anticipation of the more stringent requirements expected to be announced by Energy Star in 2011.

Homes built for 21^st Century Lifestyles

The Edgewater neighborhood is located at SW Fisher Road and SW 131^st Avenue offering easy access to downtown Portland, Washington Square and Bridgeport shopping malls, and the semi-private King City golfcourse.   As with all Legend communities built since 2003, homes are Earth Advantage New Homes certified and residents enjoy unique outdoor amenities such as bike paths and a centrally located neighborhood park, complete with play structures, playing fields and sport courts.
When completed, the Legend EarthSmart pilot program will comprise 138 additional neighborhood homes that range in price from mid $290,000 to $330,000.  Four single-family designs are offered in sizes ranging from 1,805 square feet to 2,092 square feet.   Floorplan options include special features such as dual master suites, main-level bedrooms with full baths and up to four bedrooms. Homeowners will be able to choose between three architectural styles- Fresh Traditional, Original Bungalow and Northwest Contemporary- helping to create varied streetscapes.

All EarthSmart homes are built with the goal of delivering higher energy efficiency, healthier indoor air quality and greater attention to environmental responsibility.   New Legend EarthSmart homes at Edgewater will include the following as standard features:

• Solar Photovolatic System
• 91.5% efficient gas furnaces
• Whole house fresh air ventilation system
• Water saving faucets and valves
• Energy Star qualified dishwasher
• Electric car charging stations
• High energy efficient windows
• Earth Advantage & Energy Star certified
• Low impact and native landscaping

Based on current energy market pricing, these features are expected to help homeowners save as much as 30% in energy costs.  Additionally, EarthSmart buyers will be able to receive up to $2,000 in tax credits for buying a solar home.  Optional features to enhance the sustainability of the homes include retractable clotheslines, raised bed planting areas, and garden rainbarrels for storing rainwater.

“The new EarthSmart homes are another example of Legend taking a leadership role in raising the bar on energy efficiency,” said Duane Woik, Builder Outreach Director at EarthAdvantage.  “Currently, Legend is building production homes that will challenge the rest of the building industry to offer the same level of performance in the Portland metro area.”

Legacy of Innovation

Legend Homes is considered the local leader in building affordable high quality, energy efficient homes with artisan appeal.   Known for creating unique street-scapes, Legend-built homes have been in high demand by home-buyers and designs have often been emulated by other home builders.  In the last 40+ years, Legend has built and sold more than 12,000 homes and homesites throughout Oregon.

In addition to attention to high quality construction and family friendly design, many Legend communities feature neighborhood parks, greenspaces, walking and nature paths, children’s play structures and sports courts.

The launch of the Legend EarthSmart collection of homes represents the team’s focus on extending its leadership in earth-conscious architecture and construction as it enters this next phase of community development.

EarthSmart Launch Party

The Legend EarthSmart Sustainability Party celebrating ground-breaking of the first EarthSmart home will be held on Sunday, September 27^th, 1pm to 4pm at Edgewater on the Tualatin.  All attendees will have the chance to enter a drawing to win a 2010 Toyota Prius, sponsored by Energy Star.  Scheduled events include three presentations by leading home industry experts in Oregon.

1pm- Earth Advantage.  Mackenzie Winchel, Residential Technical Specialist, will provide guidance to homeowners on how to assess the energy efficiency of their current home.

2pm – Watkins & Associates.  Taylor Watkins, Partner, will provide insight on maximizing home value through choice energy efficiency upgrades.  Watkins & Associates is a local leader in data collection and green appraisal of homes in the Portland metro area.
3pm – LiveLight Solar Energy.  Keith Knowles, President, will highlight the benefits and affordability of home solar energy systems.

Directions:  SW Pacific Hwy (99W), West at Beef Bend Rd, South on 131^st, West on Fischer, follow signs.
About  Legend Homes
Founded in Portland, Oregon in 1965, Legend Homes is the award-winning builder of more than 12,000 home sites, homes, town homes and condominiums in planned communities throughout Portland and Corvallis.  Their high-quality, green-built homes are crafted with premium materials to ensure structure strength, better air quality and energy efficiency.  With seven communities throughout the region, there are new homes designed to fit the needs of almost any prospective homebuyer.  For more information, visit www.legendhomes.com.

This information was compiled by the Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS) in Portland.  The percentage quoted includes new home sales in Multnomah, Clackamas, Columbia, Washington and Yamhill Counties.  It does not include new home sales in Clark County, WA.  RMLS began tracking the sale of green certified homes in 2007 when the certification search feature was implemented on the MLS database.

“Green” certified homes also sold faster than homes without certification.  New “green” homes in the Portland Metro Area remained on the market for just of 66 days on average, while the average time on the market for all homes was 73 days.  The announcement of Countrywide’s Green Incentive mortgage product that discounts the interest rate is sure to add further value to green homes.

“These findings are very important,” states Sean Penrith, Executive Director of the not-for-profit Earth Advantage, Inc. “We have long heard and touted that green building is the right thing to do, and it is. But now we have actual data that points to higher value for green homes and reduced time on the market. This is the tipping point, and in five years, builders that are not identifying green in their practices will undoubtedly be marginalized.”

“Green” certification includes third-party certified Earth Advantage^® homes, Earth Advantage/ENERGY STAR^® co-labeled homes, ENERGY STAR, and LEED^® for Homes.  For the period ending April 30, 2008, 309 housing units in the study received either Earth Advantage or an Earth Advantage/ ENERGY STAR certification.  To obtain third-party certification, a builder or developer works with Earth Advantage, Inc to ensure that the highest standards for energy efficiency, indoor air quality, resource efficiency, water conservation and environmental responsibility are integrated into the construction of the home. Final performance testing and inspections are conducted by Earth Advantage, Inc. before a certificate of compliance is issued.

Home builders in the region are offering “green” or sustainable amenities as a way to compete in the housing market.  Such features include efficient home furnaces and high performance heating and ventilation systems.  Steve Tapio is the Building Science Team Leader for New Tradition Homes in Vancouver.  His company began offering Earth Advantage certified homes in 2005. “All builders need to be in the running now,” Tapio reported.  “The cost of energy is one of the largest concerns on the consumer’s mind.  Sustainable features are also of interest in this market.”

“Green” built homes are designed with people in mind.  They are more energy efficient reducing monthly utility costs, have healthier indoor in qualities that are better for occupants, and have more durable features and products that reduce time and money for upkeep.  People are acknowledging these traits as not only core values to themselves, but are also beginning to understand how “green” built homes truly make sense, from an economic and environmental perspective.

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Earth Advantage, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation is a leading green building authority in the Pacific Northwest and the largest third-party tested program in the country. At a minimum, Earth Advantage homes are designed to use 15 percent less energy than houses built to standard code practices. Earth Advantage works with builders, developers and home owners to bring the most energy efficient, sustainable and healthy homes to the market.  The organization has the ability to certify homes as Earth Advantage (Silver, Gold and Platinum levels exist too), ENERGY STAR®, or LEED for Homes®.  Over 9,500 homes in the state of Oregon have been certified to the Earth Advantage standard since 2000. For more information, visit www.earthadvantage.org.

Legend Homes receives its green certification from Oregon’s Earth Advantage, the largest third-party tested green building program in the United States. Earth Advantage homes are designed to be at least 15 percent more energy efficient than houses built to standard code practices. These homes are certified for energy efficiency, indoor air quality, resource efficiency and environmental responsibility. More information, including a list of green residential and commercial builders and remodelers, can be found at their SW Portland headquarters 16280 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd or at earthadvantage.com.

Green Building In A Green State
Every year in honor of Earth Day, The Green Guide, published by National Geographic, ranks the top ten green cities in America.  Last year, Oregon cities, including the Portland metro area, ranked in the top five.  Portland, and other cities in the our state, have made several “top ten” green and sustainable lists since 2006 including Grist magazine, MSN.com’s CityGuides, SustainLane.com, Men’s Journal, Prevention, Bicycling, Outsider and Reader’s Digest.  And while The New York Times has reported that the federal government has no set rankings or established direction for sustainability, environmental stewardship and green building has become part of Oregon’s standard operating practice.

And Governor Ted Kulongoski wants to keep it that way. Last March, when Gov. Kulongoski delivered his sixth annual State-of-the-State address, he announced plans to make Oregon the national leader in innovation and sustainability (for more information, visit governor.oregon.gov). But our carbon footprint isn’t a shoe size; it’s how Oregonians utilize the resources that are part of their lifestyle.   Living in a yurt will not necessarily reduce the burden on the planet, but green building, especially residential housing, will.  In our state, we have more than 1.6 million homes and a homeownership rate of more than 64 percent.

Housing has a vast impact on the environment, human health, and the economy, with commercial and residential building accounting for approximately 35 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. According to Legend Homes President Jim Chapman, adopting green building strategies from the earliest stages of a building project maximizes both economic and environmental performance.  This viewpoint sparked the creation of the Legend Homes Best Practices Task Force in 2004 as a core part of the corporation.

Task force members include upper management, production management and customer care management form Legend Homes’ Portland and Corvallis operations.  Staff are assigned to study the latest developments in building sciences for continual quality improvement.  Field trips for technical investigations; product testing and analysis; and seminars by industry groups are utilized to ensure that Legend Homes building decisions are supported by independent sources. The procedures the company has developed are assembled into manuals for training employees and subcontractors, and are kept as long-term reference guides in Legend Homes’ field offices.  The Best Practices Task Force has applied a variety of green building techniques, including energy reduction, air quality improvements and green products viability analysis and recycling enhancements.

Chapman outlined the company’s priorities: quality of structure, health and safety of the home, i.e. air quality, energy efficiency and third-party green certification by Earth Advantage.

“Because we build so close to Earth Advantage standards already, it’s only about a $7,000 cost to get our homes Earth Advantage certified,” says Chapman.  “The benefits far outweigh the costs, an energy efficient home saves the homeowner as much as 15 percent in annual utility costs, requires less maintenance, improves indoor air quality and reduces energy omissions.  This directly supports our corporate green building mission of creating homes that will be enjoyed by families for generations to come.”

The other part of Legend Homes’ green mission is education.  That’s why at every community you can find “Behind the Walls” call-outs within the model.  These “Behind the Walls” call-outs explain the features and benefits of green construction practices. Garage displays showcase and explain exterior green features: siding, window systems and installation, masonry, etc.

Legend Homes and its Best Practices Task Force have been so successful that in June 2006, the green builder was invited to participate in an initiative with David Van’t Hof, Gov. Kulongoski’s sustainability policy advisor, and Sean C. Penrith, executive director of Earth Advantage.  The purpose of the initiative was to record and monitor construction of a Legend Homes residence as it is built to the Earth Advantage standards. The project created a platform for the Governor’s Office to promote sustainability and demonstrate how these techniques result in the reduction of green house gases. TV Fox 12 of Beaverton documented the entire build of a green-certified Legend Homes residence in 17 segments. Earth Advantage now plans to have monitoring equipment installed so that this homebuyer’s energy use and indoor air quality will be tracked. This future data will document the superior attributes of a high-performance green home.

Legend Goes to the Extreme

America watched – and cried – Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007 as our state’s first-ever Extreme Makeover was televised nationally. When the producers of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition were looking for an Oregon home builder to head the project, civic and community leaders recommended Legend Homes because of the company’s tradition of green building, volunteerism and year-round philanthropy. Giving and volunteerism has been integrated into the corporate culture since the company’s inception.  The 4,000 sq. ft. Earth Advantage green-certified home was built in just 96 hours.

The Oregon episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition gave a Corvallis-area family the home of their dreams.  To complete the project, “Team Legend” recruited more than 300 volunteers to donate their time and expertise, working alongside the entire company’s staff, who organized round-the-clock shifts.   Legend Homes solicited all donations for the project.

“Not only every dinner, beverage and snack, but every piece of lumber, drywall, paint and windows — all of the highest quality — every part of that home was donated by Oregonians,” said Legend Homes President Jim Chapman.  “We bought and installed the best air filtration system in America. This project, representing hundreds of hours and the hundreds of thousands of dollars of in-kind donations from our vendors, subcontractors, employees, the Corvallis Community and, frankly, the entire Oregon building industry, is a fitting tribute to what quality green sustainable building is all about.”

Founded in Portland, Oregon in 1965, Legend Homes is the award-winning builder of more than 12,000 home sites, homes, town homes and condominiums in planned communities throughout Oregon. For more information, visit legendhomes.com.