Thursday, February 16, 2012

NEXUS ENERGYHOMES WINS EVHA 2012 BUILDER OF THE YEAR

NEXUS ENERGYHOMES WINS EVHA 2012 BUILDER OF THE YEAR


Company Has Tremendous Potential to Affect the National and Local Home Building Industry

(STEVENSVILLE) Feb. 13, 2012—Stevensville, Md-based NEXUS EnergyHomes, Inc., is the winner of the EnergyValue Housing Award® 2012 Builder of the Year, announced during the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fl last Wednesday. The EnergyValue Housing Award (EVHA) honors builders and remodelers who voluntarily incorporate energy efficiency in the design, construction and marketing of homes.

Nexus’ was one of seventeen builders in the nation nominated for the 2012 Builder of the Year. The nominees were judged on the merits of the homes’ design, construction and value. As they considered all facets of each nominee’s home production, the NAHB Research Center reported that their final decision to award Nexus EnergyHomes as the 2012 Builder of the Year came when they realized that the company, while relatively new to the business, has “enormous potential to affect both the local and national home building industry.”

The Builder of the Year award affirms the company’s vision to successfully integrate exceptional energy performance, attention to detail, and cost and energy value under one roof. “We are thrilled to be singled-out as the overall winner among so many energy-efficient home builders with such a prestigious award,” Murphy says.

The EVHA Builder of the Year award is managed by the NAHB Research Center (NAHBRC) in partnership with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and the U.S. Dept. of Energy’s Building America Program, and National Renewable Energy Program (NREL). In announcing Nexus’ win the group said they also considered the company’s extensive pre-build strategic planning and research as, “an indication that the company is dedicated to doing things right the first time.” Additionally, they reported the post-construction review and testing that led Nexus to strive for further improvements, “shows that the company is not content to remain stagnant with respect to energy efficiency and the quality of their construction.”

Nexus’ staffers report that when Paul Zanecki, Nexus’ president, reviews any of his company’s plans, his next question is always, “how can we continually innovate?” “I want to make homes that are better in every way—integrating all the best performing technologies under one roof. Until that vision is realized, I keep pushing,” Zanecki says.

Nexus also won the EVHA New Homes Gold Award for Production in Moderate Climate. In consideration of that win, an EVHA judge said, “This is the whole package. [It contains] high quality materials, outstanding energy efficient features, and incredible marketing. It is an outstanding and comprehensive package.”

Nexus is one of the few homebuilding companies in America that has received certification for achieving the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) “Emerald Certification”—the highest level of Green Building standards established by the NAHB. The first duplex-home built in their Frederick Maryland, North Pointe community received Emerald Certification in January, and the company has pending applications for five more homes built from the same model. Nexus Construction Division President, Mike Murphy says he hopes to make Frederick, the ‘Emerald City’ of Maryland.

Three years of intensive research and development in conjunction with the NAHBRC, resulted in an epiphany for Nexus that they were capable of delivering net-zero homes on a budget of $300,000 or less. They achieved this with the launch of their first community, targeting homebuyers who were looking for energy-efficient, affordable, new construction homes. The 59-home development, North Pointe, a GeoSolar Community in Frederick, Md. sold both model homes in the first two weeks of offering and ended 2011 with 16 lots under contract, six homes nearing completion, and a further eight pending building permits. Nexus is projecting a consistent 2012 sales pace, for this community, of one home per week, which has the potential of selling out North Pointe by years’ end at price points consistent with increased quality and demand. They also contracted to build single-family custom homes last year in Frederick, Centerville, and are set to build in communities reaching from Philadelphia, Pa to South Carolina.

About Nexus EnergyHomes

The NEXUS EnergyHome provides every new home-buyer with the opportunity to own a home that meets NetZero Standards —a home that offers the ability to be figuratively “off the grid” and produce as much energy as it consumes. After years of research and testing with the NAHB, and through Nexus EnergyHomes’ complex construction process using proprietary designs, innovative materials, and the very best of modern technologies, Nexus EnergyHomes is making a revolutionary change to the way homes are constructed in America. NEXUS EnergyHomes is the first company to make these technologies work in perfect harmony in a single family home, and at a rate no different than other homes currently on the market.

By combining the application of innovative “GeoSolar” energy production, and effective energy-saving building techniques, and utilizing a proprietary “NexusVision Smart Systems” web-based, energy-usage monitoring and control system, each “Nexus EnergyHomes” homeowner has net-zero energy balance within their grasp. Using the earth as an inverse temperature conductor and the sun as a power source, NEXUS EnergyHomes utilize a combination of geothermal (ground sourced) heat pumps, photovoltaic solar panels, super insulated building shells and state-of-the art electronic and web-based controls and monitoring systems. All household electrical equipment and appliances are Energy-Star rated. NEXUS’ entire electrical system is tied to the electrical or utility grid for “net metering”. Power is produced during periods of sunshine and drawn from the grid at night, or in periods of extensive cloud cover, in order to produce annual, zero or near zero grid electricity demand “Off the Grid”.

The company’s certifications and affiliations include: National Association of Homebuilders; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Star designation; Indoor Air PLUS Qualified Homes (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency); Building America Program (U.S. Department of Energy)

Thursday, September 1, 2011

September Newsletter

North Pointe

Since the North Point model home opened, sales and lot deposits have scaled at unprecedented rates – far greater than originally predicted. In one day, on September 10, during Frederick’s annual festival, In the Streets, Nexus received 5 lot holds! A continuation of this “One Home a Week Sale’s Pace” will Sell-Out all available Nexus EnergyHomes at North Pointe in Frederick, MD before the end of next year. Within slightly over 3 months, that equates to a total of 15 lots on hold and/or under contract. If you think a first time homebuyer tax credit is good, on the first home that closed, these buyers are scheduled to receive $15,909 in Federal Tax Credits and $3750 in State Grant monies! That means they should get $19,659 back just for buying a NEXUS EnergyHome, and little to no utility bill!! It is likely you will not find any other home builder in America that is currently matching this value from a home nor match our sales velocity.

The profile of the North Pointe home buyer is varying. The profiles range from a Professor and Nurse, Downsizers from Montgomery County, First Time Home Buyers, Middle-Aged Couples and a Newspaper Publisher from New Hampshire. The only theme that seems to exist amongst these home-buyers is their desire for practicality and deletion of utility costs. The growth rate at North Pointe is unparalleled for these times, and far exceeds that of other builders.

Three Creeks

The buyers of the first home at Three Creeks, the Wichard family, are moving from Texas to Maryland to work at Fort Meade. We have the foundation and plumbing ready, and expect the SIPS (Structurally Insulated Panels) to arrive and be up in two weeks. They are very excited to live in a Nexus home and are pleased with the progress. We thank the Queenstown Bank of Maryland for extending, in these difficult lending times, the full construction loan for this Grayson/Corsica type house.

Nexus Capital, LLC

As virtually every business person knows, obtaining constructions loans for residential building companies, or even small business loans, has become a time consuming and often futile exercise. As most bankers will tell you, loan applicants need not apply so long as regulators continue to put unrelenting pressure on those institutions to dispose of or charge off existing real estate loans. It is difficult during these regulatory times to convince a bank to lend when they are being told to reduce their portfolio of real estate loans.

Because this situation clearly impacts Nexus’s ability to “scale up” to meet buyer/market demand, a demand that has been created and is increasing rapidly even in the current housing recessionary period, Nexus’s officers have decided to innovate a financial product. This Product, Nexus Capital, represents a construction loan solution for the EnergyHome market and an opportunity for our shareholders, friends and family to obtain low risk, fixed returns on their money similar to financial instruments such as Certificates of Deposit (CD’s) or Money Market Accounts. The major difference is the amount of the return! Without substantial overhead, carrying costs or debt, and controlled investment standards, Nexus Capital is structured to return 6% interest on its certificates or Units of deposit.

Compared to a bank’s . 3% or .4% returns on savings accounts or CD’s, Nexus Capital Units are an investment that benefits EnergyHome growth and flexibility, while providing outperforming returns to its Unit Owners. Should anyone be interested in learning more about Nexus Capital, LLC, please feel free to contact us.

Cross-Marketing Agreement

An agreement has been drafted, which will benefit both land owners and Nexus EnergyHomes, allowing for joint marketing initiatives to sell our products. Nexus and our partner land owners will work together by allowing Nexus to market “to be built” Nexus EnergyHomes on their lots. Nexus and its sub-agents and/or representatives will be permitted to offer and display marketing material including, but not limited to MLS/internet listings, brochures and/or other documents and plans to prospective home buyers. By way of the cross-marketing agreement, the Listing Brokers agree to allow Nexus and our sub-agents and/or representatives to market “to be built” Nexus EnergyHomes on the lots, even though the marketing materials may be through another real estate broker who is marketing for Nexus. This is a great example of Nexus teamwork and the types of people or organizations we select as partners.

Future Projects

In addition to our array of projects already in the pipeline, we are currently negotiating the potential to partner at Vint Hill in Fauquier County, Virginia (www.vinthill.com). Moving forward, Nexus would enter in the role of residential building partner, in a much larger planned “mixed-use” community, akin to a small town that will include; a shopping village, winery, theatre, farmer’s market and deli, amongst many other things.

In Summary

As we close in on the last quarter of 2011, Nexus is proud to announce; the extraordinary sales achievements reached in Frederick, the founding of the innovative Nexus Capital, LLC, a Financial Instrument, which allows us to fund our own expanding construction needs, while offering outstanding returns to the funds contributors. And we are certainly pleased to highlight the addition of another fantastic community in which to set Nexus roots.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Nexus July Newsletter

Nexus EnergyHomes

Nexus EnergyHomes announces internal “Thrift” Program to fund current and future Construction Loan demand.
We greatly appreciate the Queenstown Bank on the Eastern Shore for providing Construction financing to our contracted sales on the Western Shore as we review the challenges in funding demand for our unprecedented, North Pointe, GeoSolar Community, Sales in Frederick, MD.
With Banks offering as low as 0.2% interest on deposit accounts under $100,000.00, and only 0.3% interest on deposit accounts over $100,000.00, Nexus EnergyHomes believes a self-funding program which returns an annualized 6% ROI over the typical four month construction period of a Nexus Net Zero Energy Home, is a far more creative, inspiring and Rewarding approach to the Funding need.

Emerald Standard

All Nexus homes are constructed to qualify for, and gain certification with, the Research Center at the National Association of Home Builder’s (“NAHB”) at the highest “Emerald” acceptance level. The Emerald status is a certification level that ensures a home’s balance between energy production and consumption and that it meets, or exceeds, NAHB’s highest standards.

North Pointe

Since the North Point model home opened, sales have skyrocketed. We are seeing lot holds and contracts spill in at rates that challenge even those of the previous housing boom. We currently have 6 lot holds, 2 complete contracts and 2 additional contracts under final negotiation as we go to press. The Model Home consistently draws interested foot traffic, while Mike Muren and his capable realty team, who are well versed in the merits of this down-town urban net-zero community, keep up with the current pace.

Deep Creek Lake at Wisp

As a culmination of our efforts to consolidate a Net Zero Community across the Maryland boarder into western PA, Nexus recently entered into an agreement at Deep Creek Lake/Wisp Resort, in Garrett County, the heart of the Allegheny Mountains. Known for its abundant four-season recreational activities, most of which center on Deep Creek Lake, the nearby rivers, forests and Wisp Resort, Nexus EnergyHomes will soon be part of one of the few true “four seasons” resorts in the North East region.

With two hundred available lots, Nexus EnergyHomes’ buyers can select either durable fiber cement, (50 year warranty and looks like wood), or solid wood, tongue-and-groove, wall components provided by Mountaineer Log and Siding Company for a traditional log cabin look. In addition, a variety of floor plans are available to buyers. The Nexus EnergyHomes sales office, and design showroom, will be hosted within the Mountaineer Log and Siding Company showroom, and ATR (Advanced Technology Research) will be installing the “Sunflower” (pole mount solar panels that rotate with the sun for maximum efficiency) in the front of the office.

Marketing

Nexus EnergyHomes was recently approached by a television show entitled, “The Savvy Homebuyer”. The episode in which Nexus would be featured is, “Dream Smart”, a green home edition. Following three in-depth preproduction meetings and interviews we are pleased to announce that Nexus EnergyHomes has been awarded placement on an upcoming episode. Filming is scheduled to begin as soon as mid-August and the episode is slated to air in September. The show will be on CBS and FOX in the Washington DC market. We retain residual rights for future rebroadcasting and a highly discounted rate for any future television spots.
The “Nexus EnergyHomes Deep Creek Lake at Wisp” web site is in final production and will be up and running before the end of July.
The main Nexus EnergyHomes website is under construction for increased user friendliness. Search Engine Optimization has been intensified for greater online visibility.

The flash banner advertising on Comcast/Xfinity Online drove over 245,365 impressions in the Washington, DC, Annapolis, Baltimore and Frederick, MD markets. The click through rate, which drove traffic to the Nexus EnergyHomes site, exceeded the national rate by 2% greater than average.

Nexus EnergyHomes’ full page advertisement in the Maryland Life Magazine “green edition”, opposite the Maryland Clean Energy Summit page has gone to print, while a half page version is set to run in the “What’s Up Eastern Shore” and “What’s Up Annapolis” magazines during August, September and October.

WRNR 103.1, the number one radio station in the region, reaching the Eastern Washington, DC, Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot County market, has put together two spots for Eco Radio Sponsorship. One is centered on Geothermal and the other Solar. They have produced two following, content specific, radio ads to air that will complement their Eco segments.


Future Projects

Nexus EnergyHomes continues to work with a NJ Land Developer to build out his 220 Home, 55+ Active Adult Development as a Nexus Net-Zero Energy “Geo-Solar Community” in Millville, NJ, located midway between Philadelphia and Atlantic City. The site is adjacent to the Land Owner’s proposed 100 acre Solar Farm, and the partnership is studying the feasibility of establishing a complete SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) Manufacturing Plant within Millville Township.

In downtown Philadelphia, Nexus EnergyHomes has entered into several contractual negotiations for multiple joint ventures to build-out highly rated downtown sites.
Near Frederick, Maryland, Nexus EnergyHomes is developing five, one acre Net Zero Homes with Nexus Investor, Ted McCutcheon, on Oakdale Acres in Middletown, MD.

Recently, the Nexus Company was approached by a Pentagon official, requesting a tour of our Model Home in Frederick, and get a detailed overview as to how our homes are constructed, and learn how we may be able to benefit U.S. Army housing initiatives. Our initial meeting left both sides encouraged that we may be able to benefit one another for this large scale project. We will be aggressively continuing communications regarding this initiative.

In Summary

As we close out this a 2nd quarter of dynamic achievements, we look forward to solidifying a Sales pace across four or five specific Nexus EnergyHomes’ Geo-Solar, Net Zero Communities in the 3rd quarter, that will bring national recognition to the long term Nexus EnergyHomes Vision.