Why buy a Sterling home?
Quality and customer service. Building happy customers is our mission. We have been building award-winning custom homes since 1979, but it is building happy customers of which we are most proud. In our dedication to quality workmanship, customer satisfaction and positive environmental practices, our primary goal is to exceed expectations throughout the entire homebuilding process. We stand behind our work every step of the way, from conception to far beyond the housewarming celebration. A long history of customer satisfaction and our two-year warranty prove it.
How do I get more information about Thistle Hill?
Geri Barrows of Lang McLaughry Spera is marketing Thistle Hill. She can be contacted at: geri.barrows@lmsre.com or 846-7834. We at Sterling Construction are always happy to talk with you. Bart can be reached at Bart@sterlingconstructioninc.com or 864-0600.
What types of homes is Sterling known for?
Sterling's style is generally traditional, ranging from colonials to farmhouses, but homes always include many modern details. Sterling understands that small details result in extraordinary homes. Though each home will be custom designed to suit your needs and the size, shape and location of the lot, we will incorporate many signature features like gourmet kitchens, luxurious master retreats, and oversized garages.
When will homes be available in Thistle Hill? One completed home is ready for immediate occupancy: the Meech plan on Site 20. This home provides 'move-in' ready conditions with additional spaces that can be easily customized for the buyer.
Other available sites in the initial phase of Thistle Hill (Sites 18 and 22) can be built within 120 days. Thistle Hill East, the next section, is GROWING! Home Sites 3-4 and 7-8 can also be built within 120 days.
Do you build "green" homes in Thistle Hill? Absolutely!
All homes are built to the discerning standards of the National Green Building Standards and Energy Star. Each home is rated by an independent third party and scored for its construction. Completed homes in Thistle Hill have consistently achieved SILVER certification from NGBS and 5 Star + from Energy Star.
What will the Thistle Hill homes be like?
There are seven styles of homes from which to choose; the Andrews, the Burritt, the Chaffee, the McEuen, the Meech, the Partch, or the Tuttle. Each is designed to fit nicely on the hillside terrain of Thistle Hill. Each home is named after the original settlers of the town of Hinesburg. As some home sites slope up from front-to-back, and others slope down from front-to-back, the homes are designed to work with the land. The plans range in size from 1348 square feet (Meech) to 2222 square feet (Tuttle) of finished floor space. Each plan has its unique features in living spaces, number of bedrooms, and garages. Options for finishing of additional space and other features are available. If our plans do not meet your needs, we can create a custom design for you.
Will I be able to make changes to the house plans?
We have many standard options available for each house, so that you can fit it to your lifestyle. Custom changes to current plans, or even creating a custom design for you, are possible: let's talk about your needs.
What is a Garden Home?
A Garden Home is a single-family home or duplex home, located on a small plot of land, situated within the larger common land shared by all homeowners. Each owner owns in fee simple their home and the plot of land on which it sits. Each Garden Home is surrounded by land owned and shared in common with other members of the Thistle Hill Homeowners Association. The yards and common areas are maintained by the Homeowners Association year-round, including the maintaining of lawns, shrubs, trees, snow removal and rubbish removal. The yard maintenance frees homeowners form outside chores and provides them more time for their favorite activities. Each Garden Home is surrounded by a "Limited Site Area", which in addition to the Home Site, is for the exclusive use of the home owners. The Limited Site Area augments the privacy and individual use of the land surrounding each home.
Who will be in the Home Owners Association?
The 21 single-family and the four duplex homes, home sites 1-25, will be members of the Thistle Hill Homeowners Association. This Association will own and maintain all of the common land, the roads (until the Town takes over ownership of some of the roads) and the 14.2 acres of wooded Open Space with walking trails. In addition, the Homeowners Association will maintain the yard areas of the Garden Home sites.
What are the Homeowners Association fees?
The Association fee is currently $175 per month, paid quarterly. This fee pays for the Association expenses, including insurance, maintenance of roads, trails, common land, homeowners yards (lawns, shrubs, trees, snow removal), and rubbish removal. The Association has the ability to add services or make changes as their Board of Directors deems necessary.
Does this Association maintain the Adult Condominiums?
No, the 32 Adult Condominiums have their own association and will maintain their own land and buildings.
Both associations, however, have limited rights to use some of the land, walks, paths and roads of the other association.
Will they all be built at the same time?
No. This neighborhood will be completed in two phases, which we creatively call Phase I and Phase II. This timing is largely dictated by the configuration of the roads. Phase I includes Boulder Hill Drive to Hawley Road and all of Hawley Road, and includes Lots 1,2,3,14-30 & 37. Construction is almost complete on Phase I as we are in the rough-in stage of lot 24, the last lot in Phase I. Phase II began in Fall 2004. Phase II includes Lots 4-13, 31-36. Please check the Boulder Hill site map or contact June Quintin to get the most up to date listing of available lots.
How long does it take to get to town from Thistle Hill?
A Hinesburg "secret" is how close it is to so many places; Many people not tuned into the 'secret' feel like Hinesburg is "out there"... Here are some common destinations and comparisons from other known locations:
Thistle Hill to the University Mall 11.63 mi 17 min Essex Center to the University Mall 9.34 mi 16 min Richmond to University Mall 12.78 mi 15 min Jericho to University Mall 12.74 mi 21 min Milton to University Mall 15.81 mi 23 min
Thistle Hill to Taft Corners 8.47 mi 15 min Essex Center to Taft Corners 6.42 mi 13 min
Thistle Hill to Church Street, Burlington 12.93 mi 20 min Essex Center to Church Street, Burlington 9.93 mi 18 min Jericho to Church Street, Burlington 13.39 mi 23 min Richmond to Church Street, Burlington 14.29 mi 18 min Milton to Church Street, Burlington 16.45 mi 25 min
Why is Thistle Hill being developed in phases?
Phasing of the infrastructure allows for an orderly and systematic extension of and connection to the Town of Hinesburg utilities. It allows for more limited disturbance of the land, with the selected home sites available at any one time.
When will other phases of Thistle Hill be available?
Phase I is nearing build-out, with only three Sites remaining (Sites 18, 20 & 22). Thistle Hill East, the next section, has begun and have Home Sites 3-4 and 7-8 are ready for building. Phase III will be the Adult Condominium Community. The timing of the Adult Condominiums is undetermined at this time.
Does Sterling Construction have any other homes available?
Sterling is the builder of the single-family homes for South Village in South Burlington. South Village, located off Spear Street, is a traditional new development (TND) being developed by The Retrovest Companies. This unique designed neighborhood of housing is patterned to mimic historical housing, and is currently under construction. See http://www.southvillage.com/ for more information.
Is natural gas coming to Hinesburg?
Natural gas is here! The new Vermont Gas lines are up and operating. All homes in Thistle Hill are now connected to natural gas.
What is Energy Star?
ENERGY STAR is a national program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that helps people save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. There are ENERGY STAR programs for residential construction on new and existing homes. And the ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 60 types of products including lighting, appliances, home electronics and heating and cooling equipment.
To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20-30% more efficient than standard homes.
To learn more about the ENERGY STAR programs, click here.
What benefits does an Energy Star provide me, the owner?
When you live in an ENERGY STAR qualified home, you'll have:
30% lower energy bills than homes built to minimum state energy code requirements.
Lower maintenance costs - Your home will be more air-tight and better ventilated than an ordinary house. That means you'll avoid moisture problems, like sweating windows, paint failure, mold growth, structural damage, and ice dams.
Healthier indoor air. Proper ventilation means less risk of mold, mildew, dust mites, or back-drafting from combustion appliances.
Greater comfort - You'll eliminate drafts and have greater control of indoor temperature at lower energy costs.
Assurance - Your home will be approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency as ENERGY STAR qualified.
Pride - You'll be helping to protect the environment. By saving energy, you'll reduce power generation air pollution.
Greater resale value - For all of the above reasons.
Vermont ENERGY STAR Homes is a service of Efficiency Vermont and Vermont Gas Systems.
What is the National Green Building Standard? What does it mean for my house?
The National Green Building Standard TM is a national Green building program that is ANSI approved. It requires 3rd party/independent verification of all components of the home. The program, like most green programs (i.e. LEED), looks at 6 main areas; Lot design, Resource Efficiency, Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Building Owner Education. It awards points in the various categories and incentivizes green behavior. Collin Frisbie is a Certified Green Professional. Thistle Hill homes are generally scoring in the SILVER category for overall efficiency. You can learn more about the National Green Building Standard at www.nahbgreen.org
What other neighborhoods in Chittenden County has Sterling designed?
Our most recent neighborhood was RiverWood in Essex. Our other neighborhoods include Boulder Hill on Webster Road in Shelburne, Stonegate and Deer Run in Shelburne; Roger's Forest, Nobb Hill and Homestead Farms at Kettle Creek in Jericho; Sunrise at French Hill, Turtle Crossing and Turtle Pond in Williston; as well as Pinewood Manor and Mansfield Avenue in Essex.
What is a Registered Vermont Builder/Remodeler?
Sterling Construction is one of the original members of Registered Vermont Builder/Remodeler, Inc. subscribing to a code of building ethics, sound professional practices and service to our clients. We are proud to build to high standards that clients expect and deserve.
