Allow me to vent for just a minute.

I recently read an article written by a local journalist in Wilsonville, Ore..  It discussed a new builder, Polygon NW, showing interest in building  homes in Villebois.  I think that is great news!  What I do not care for in the article is how the author tries to portray Villebois as “the recently troubled master planned community”.  I guess that he is entitled to his opinion but I think that his opinion is no where near reality.  There is no doubt that permits are no where near where they were in 2005 but let’s put this picture into perspective.

Lets take a minute to recap 2009

60 homes were sold in Villebois

47 new homes sold

Villebois won 9 national awards through the National Association of Home Builder

4 Gold Awards

5 Silver Awards

Named Community of the Year (that is throughout the nation, also called the United States of America)

For a “troubled development” 2009  shaped up to be a pretty good year considering the circumstances.  Villebois was the top selling community for new homes in the Portland real estate market and was named the top community in the nation.

Yes, we are in the midst, if not close to the end, of the biggest economic turmoil that this great country has ever experienced.  Instead of playing on peoples fear why don’t journalists try to spread a little bit of good news when it happens or better yet try to find the good in a situation.  People like good news sometimes too.

Maybe that doesn’t sell newspapers.

Click here to view the recent article in the Wilsonville Spokesman about the nationally award-winning Villebois Community in Wilsonville, Oregon.

To learn more about the Villebois community in Wilsonville, Oregon, please visit ChangeHowYouLive.com. You may also speak with Costa Pacific Homes New Home Specialist Andy Green by calling 866.580.2836 or emailing Blog@CostaPacific.com.

Carvahlo Condominiums - Villebois in Wilsonville, Oregon

As we approach a New Year, it is important to remember all of the benefits of purchasing real estate and new homes for sale in today’s marketplace.

Don’t forget that the $8,000 homebuyer tax credit for first-time buyers has been extended through April 30, 2010. Not to mention, the tax credit now offers $6,500 for owners of existing homes who are buying a new principal residence and have lived in their home for five consecutive years out of the last eight. Buyers have until the end of June to close.

In other news, the income eligibility limits for the tax credit – now for both groups of buyers – has increased from $75,000 to $125,000 for individuals and from $150,000 to $225,000 for married couples.

Don’t miss your opportunity to purchase the home of your dreams at the price of your dreams!

And where else can you find the home of your dreams than the award-winning Villebois neighborhood in Wilsonville, Oregon!? Take your pick of the broad array of single-family homes, row homes and condominiums available in Villebois. The community offers sustainably built, affordable homes perfect for any lifestyle.

To learn more about the Villebois community in Wilsonville, Oregon, please visit ChangeHowYouLive.com. You may also speak with Costa Pacific Homes New Home Specialist Andy Green by calling 866.580.2836 or emailing Blog@CostaPacific.com.   

For more information about the new tax credit, visit www.FederalHousingTaxCredit.com.

For those of you wondering the latest status on Legend at Villebois here you go.  Legend Homes only has two finished homes remaining in phase 1 in Villebois.  One of those homes recently went pending so that leaves them with only 1 remaining available home for sale.  It looks as if they will come out of chapter 11 bankruptcy around the beginning of 2010 and hopefully begin construction on new homes once that has happened and they have sold their last finished home.

Full Story:  Matrix will also give back raw land in its Phase 2 project at Villebois.  The Villebois subdivision was master planned…….. Read the rest of the story here.

Contact Costa Pacific Homes in the Villebois Village Center today! A Costa Pacific New Home Specialist would be happy to take you on a private tour of the distinctive community whenever is convenient for you. Call 866.580.2836 or email Blog@CostaPacific.com for more information about Villebois. www.ChangeHowYouLive.com

The holidays are the perfect time for creating perfect memories.

Isn’t it time you lived in the perfect place for creating memories too?

The Villebois Village Center in Wilsonville, Oregon, will change how you live.

With our brand-new Seville Rows, Carvalho Condominiums and upcoming Les Bois Collection, you can live a carefree lifestyle in the hip and urban, yet relaxed Village Center. Build life-long relationships with your neighbors. Participate in exciting community activities and events. Live a more sustainable life in a green-certified home and eco-conscious neighborhood.

The benefits of living in the Villebois Village Center are endless.

Aren’t you ready for a change?

Listen to what happy residents say about life in Villebois.

Contact Costa Pacific Homes in the Villebois Village Center today! A Costa Pacific New Home Specialist would be happy to take you on a private tour of the distinctive community whenever is convenient for you. Call 866.580.2836 or email Blog@CostaPacific.com for more information about Villebois. www.ChangeHowYouLive.com

Costa Pacific Homes recently announced that its latest development, the Villebois neighborhood in Wilsonville, Oregon, is a finalist for the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) most prestigious builder award: the Community of the Year Award.

This nomination is nothing new for the award-winning master planner and developer. In 1999, Costa Pacific received the prestigious Community of the Year Award for another development it designed: Orenco Station in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Villebois offers area homebuyers a broad assortment of home styles and amenities from which to choose. Based on the intimacy and character of traditional European villages, the Villebois Village Center features everything from condominiums and row homes to apartments and buildings with ground level retail or office space. The Piazza Villebois, a dedicated community space and plaza, will serve as the heart of the Villebois Village Center and will be the future site of community events and other activities.

The NAHB will announce the winner of this year’s Community of the Year Award in January. Stay tuned.

For more information about the award-winning Villebois or Orenco Station communities, please call 866.580.2836 or email Blog@CostaPacific.com. You may also visit www.CostaPacific.com to learn more about Costa Pacific Homes’ latest projects.

The Villebois Events Committee (V.E.C.) in Wilsonville, Oregon’s Villebois neighborhood recently announced that it will host a Merry & Bright Party in heart of the award-winning Villebois community this Friday, December 4, 2009.

The event will include caroling, cocoa drinking, cookie eating and all around holiday cheer in the Sofia Park Pavilion in Villebois to mark the official start of the holidays. Villebois and area neighbors are invited to ring in the season together this Friday in the community in which the live, work, play and learn.

The V.E.C. will provide hot cocoa and hot cider. Guests are invited to bring a plate of holiday goodies to share as well as a flashlight. Caroling books will also be provided.

The Merry & Bright Party is just one of the many community activities that homeowners throughout the Villebois neighborhood regularly come together to take part in. The Villebois community is designed as a social environment where homeowners get to know their neighbors and develop lifelong friendships.

Click here for a complete list of Villebois neighborhood activities.

Change how you live. Envision yourself living in this social community.

For more information about Villebois or the Merry & Bright Event, please contact Costa Pacific Homes New Home Specialist Andy Green at 866.580.2836 or Blog@CostaPacific.com. The Costa Pacific Homes sales office in the Villebois Village Center is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and Sunday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. You may also visit ChangeHowYouLive.com.

The new Les Bois Collection are the very first detached homes to grace the award-winning Villebois Village Center in Wilsonville, Oregon. These new single-family row homes offer homebuyers their choice of two distinct floor plans – The Alesia and The Montraux.

The Alesia is priced at $299,900 and features two bedrooms and a third bedroom/loft option. Priced at $349,900, The Montraux offers buyers three bedrooms as well as a lofted space.

In addition to bestowing residents with an upscale lifestyle at an affordable price, the Les Bois Collection feature a broad array of distinctive amenities. Not to mention, each of the detached homes comes with its own garage, private patio and low maintenance yard.

EXTERIORS
• 2-car rear entry garages
• Covered porches and entryways with waterproof decking
• Exceptional curb appeal
• Private patios & yards
• Hardi-Plank lap siding with 50-year limited warranty
• Premium Composition Roof with 40-year warranty

INTERIORS
• Sculptured architectural detailing throughout with volume ceilings
• Designer-selected recessed accent lighting
• Gas fireplace with painted mantel & tile surround
• Tile floor in entry
• Concealed fire sprinklers throughout homes
• Pre-wired for security system
• Option to build with elevator

IN THE KITCHEN
• Kohler Forte polished chrome faucet with pullout sprayhead & lever handle
• Sterling by Kohler stainless steel sink
• Tile counters with self edge and 6” tile backsplash
• Recessed can lighting
• Marmoleum floors

GE^® HOME ESSENTIALS APPLIANCES
• GE^® 30” stainless steel gas range
• GE^® tall tub built-in stainless steel dishwasher
• GE^® Spacemaker stainless steel microwave oven

QUALITY CONSTRUCTION AND ENERGY-SAVING FEATURES
• Meets Earth Advantage^® requirements for energy efficiency, indoor air quality, environmental responsibility & resource efficiency
• Concrete foundation with visqueen vapor barrier
• Engineered floor systems & roof truss systems throughout
• High efficiency 90+% gas furnace
• Milgard vinyl dual-glazed windows with limited lifetime warranty
• R-21 insulation in exterior walls
• R-49 insulation blown in all attic & ceiling areas
• Pre-wired with coil case & line set for future air conditioning

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS
• 160 acres of parks, green space and playgrounds
• Mere steps from Piazza Villebois & the Villebois Sunday Market
• Near future retail space
• Pedestrian- & bike-friendly
• Easy access to Trimet’s WES commuter rail
• Guest parking

If you are interested in learning more about the new Les Bois Collection in the Villebois Village Center, please contact Costa Pacific New Home Specialist Andy Green at 866.580.2836 or email Blog@CostaPacific.com. You may also visit ChangeHowYouLive.com.

Last week, President Obama signed legislation that extends and expands the first-time home buyer tax credit originally made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The new legislation extends the $8,000 credit for first-time home buyers for sales contracts entered into by April 30, 2010 and closed by June 30. In addition, the law has been expanded to now include a $6,500 credit for owners of existing homes who are buying a new principal residence. Current homeowners can claim the $6,500 tax credit if they lived in their home for five consecutive years out of the last eight.

In other news, the income eligibility limits for the tax credit – now for both groups of buyers – has increased from $75,000 to $125,000 for individuals and from $150,000 to $225,000 for married couples. Additionally, the new law also provides relief to cash-strapped home builders by providing broader tax benefits for businesses with net operating losses (NOLs).

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released a statement last week saying the new legislation will “provide a much-needed boost to the fragile housing market and economy”. In addition, NAHB estimates that the new and improved homebuyer tax credit will create 211,000 new jobs and generate 180,000 additional home sales over the next year. NAHB also expect the tax credit to generate $9.6 billion in wage income and $6.9 billion in federal, state and local taxes.

This means that now – more than ever – is the perfect time to purchase a new home.

And why not purchase that new home in the award-winning Villebois Village Center in Wilsonville, Oregon?

Villebois is the latest master-planned community to be developed by Costa Pacific Communities. Featuring a vibrant mix of single-family homes, row homes, condominiums, retail and commercial space and 160 acres of parks and open green space, the Villebois neighborhood has something for everyone. And with new homes priced starting in the mid-$100,000s, Villebois is a sweet surprise for buyers looking for homes in today’s real estate market.

To learn more about the Villebois community in Wilsonville, Oregon, please visit ChangeHowYouLive.com. You may also speak with New Home Specialist Andy Green by calling 866.580.2836 or emailing Blog@CostaPacific.com.   

For more information about the new tax credit, visit www.FederalHousingTaxCredit.com.

Costa Pacific Homes recently announced that is has reduced the prices on its homes for sale in the Villebois Village Center in Wilsonville, Oregon.

The new Carvalho Condominiums now range in price between $269,900 and $394,900. These new Portland condos are available in both one-level flat and two-story townhome-style designs with four distinct two bedroom/two bathroom floor plans.

Ranging in size from 1,291 to 2,102 square feet and steps from Piazza Villebois and the Villebois Sunday Market, these new Wilsonville homes are ideally suited for a broad range of home buyers – from young professionals to empty nesters.

The Carvalho Condominiums in Villebois feature spacious kitchens with GE Home Essential appliance packages, gas fireplaces and Kohler fixtures as well as one and one-and-a-half car garages and covered porches. Not to mention, the Carvalho Condominiums offer buyers the only single-level homes within the entire Villebois community. They too are within walking distance of all of the activity and events that grace Piazza Villebois.

Also located in the Villebois Village Center are the Seville Rows, which are now between the low price of $367,900 and $437,900, and range in size from 2,005 square feet to 2,500 square feet. The Seville Rows feature open, inviting great rooms with dining nooks and gas fireplaces. The gourmet kitchens boast tile countertops and backsplashes, stainless steel appliances and hardwood floors. The homes also integrate multiple levels of covered decks, outdoor living spaces and generous two-car garages.

Visit Homes.Villebois.com today to search all the homes for sale in the Villebois neighborhood.

Call 866.580.2836 or email Blog@CostaPacific.com today to learn more about Villebois or the homes listed in the Village Center.

Imagine…riding the WES commuter train home from work, on your short walk to your new home, you pass trails and sidewalks shaded by towering trees, there are families in the park, laughing playing together. You stop to pick up some fresh pastries in Piazza Villebois or fresh vegetables at the Villebois Sunday Market.

As you step out onto the cobblestone street, you exhale “Life is good.”

The award-winning Villebois community in Wilsonville, Oregon, has been designed to feel and live like a cozy and vibrant village, with timeless European-inspired architecture and 160 acres of parks and beautiful landscaping.

At the heart of Villebois resides Piazza Villebois, where friends from the entire community come to relax and mingle together on the streets; you will always see a friendly face in Piazza Villebois.

An exceptional, award-winning diverse design and sustainable, social community, Villebois is proud to live a green lifestyle with its innovative rainwater management plan. In Villebois, you are connected to the area’s natural features.

Change how YOU live.

Go to ChangeHowYouLive.com and visit the Villebois Living section, then come and visit in person just west of downtown Wilsonville. For directions visit ChangeHowYouLive.com or call 866.580.2836. You can also email Blog@CostaPacific.com for more details about this exceptional, new community.