Couple makes tracks to Springs Ranch

New Jersey residents Vincente and Rosario Abelito came to Las Vegas for a vacation in March with no intention of making Nevada their home. But on the recommendation of friends, they took a look at the Springs Ranch neighborhood built by Distinctive Homes in the southwestern valley and quickly found themselves making new plans.

Before the end of the summer, Vincente Abelito said, the couple and their 12-year-old daughter were new Nevadans living in a new home.

"Our friends here said we should check out the new communities in the area. We found Springs Ranch, got the information, bought the house and, July 2, we moved to Las Vegas and, the next month, moved into our new home," Abelito said.

The couple chose Plan 1559, a two-story home with three bedrooms, 21/2 baths, tech loft, upstairs laundry room and large pantry.

"I like the style and the floor plan. And I like the energy savings," Abelito said.

Distinctive Homes President Anthony J. Musso said constructing energy-efficient homes is a top priority for his company.

"Energy costs are an important consideration that anyone buying a home should take into account," Musso said. "We use every product we can to save our buyers money in that area."

All appliances are Energy Star-certified in residences built by Distinctive Homes, which has been an Energy Star builder since the program began 15 years ago. The air-conditioning system in all Distinctive Homes communities is rated 15 SEER, exceeding the current Energy Star standard of 13 SEER, Musso said. The homes also feature low-emittance vinyl windows.

In addition, homes feature Cocoon thermal insulation, which blocks both air infiltration and convection currents to increase energy efficiency and reduce noise while it preserves natural resources.

The Abelitos said the energy-cost savings are considerable.

"We set the air conditioning at 75 degrees in August, when it was very hot here," Abelito said. "Our electric bill was only $80. That's amazing. We're saving a lot of money compared to what we paid in New Jersey."

Priced from the mid-$200,000s, Springs Ranch is located at Fort Apache and Post roads. To visit, take Interstate 215, the Las Vegas Beltway, to Russell Road, right to Fort Apache, left on Fort Apache to Post and make a right. Office hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For more information, call 220-4400 or visit SpringsRanchLV.com.

Distinctive Homes has been building neighborhoods in the Las Vegas Valley since 1980.