Marc Rutenberg Homes

Who looks at model homes while on vacation? LOL
I read many years ago that if you are in the market for a NEW home, especially if you are a 1^st time buyer, that you should look at 100 homes prior to purchasing. I found that to be really good advice when buying our first home years ago. The point really isn’t to look at exactly that many, but look at enough to get a feel for what you really want. For example, if you didn’t know much about cars and found yourself in a dealership ready to purchase the first one you saw… you may not know warranties, power steering, ABS brakes, and air conditioning are important to you. Shopping allows you to learn a lot about features you may not have considered, trim packages, construction methods, and intelligent design. You quickly learn that a well thought out flow of space, solid construction and natural light are far more valuable than can be measured by the list price.
THE SCENE
I have been interested in architectural design since I was a child. My hobby for many years has been drafting residential homes, one of which I hope to someday build as my own residence. I have complied about 25 original designs in my portfolio. Maybe someday (if I kick it in gear) I will become the builder/​residential developer that I’ve always wanted to be and these plans will come to be of use.
Marc Rutenberg IS the builder that I would aspire to emulate. I have more books & magazines of designer floorplans than I can count. I’ve been to nearly every Street of Dreams, Parade of Homes or Designer Home Showcase event that has ever hit my city, not to mention I can’t resist looking at model homes in newly constructed subdivisions. Rutenberg Homes WOW me, particularly the Castaway Grand floorplan. This plans is one of the most well thought out ranch style designs I’ve ever seen. His construction methods and attention to details are also incredible. It’s no surprise, he comes from a family that are affectionately recognized as Florida’s First Family when it comes to building.
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ZERO POWER BILL HOMES
The companies latest project involves building a new level of energy efficient homes. Using solar panels mounted almost unnoticeable on the roof, his newest model home, the Castaway III, is a sight to behold. The home generates enough power from those panels to not only fully power the home, but may also earn you a check back from the power company. According to the sales agent, the power company buys the excess energy generated by the panels in the daytime and sells the energy back at night, eliminating the need for costly storage cells. This method of energy distribution should generate a ZERO power bill with the potential of having $ 2,500 refund at the end of the year from the excess power. How’s that for intelligent?
Rutenberg Homes also use an insulation foam in the attic rafters that keeps the average air temperature up there around 80 degrees. In turn, that keeps the air handlers from working so hard thus reducing the energy signature of the home. Other smart available features include a back-​up generator, on demand hot water, Platinum LEED certified and a Home Energy Rating Scale index of 15. It’s truly a model home worth visiting for ideas and a full explanation of it’s features.
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Besides energy efficiency and excellent construction, the floorplans and attention to detail are stunning. Features like a stand alone tub with backlit stone wall:

This is something you would expect in a luxury spa that can be brought to life in your home. What’s more is he will customize and build any of his homes (or your own floorplan) on your lot. So if you are in the market for luxury homes in Florida or the Southeast, you’d be doing yourself a huge favor to visit one of his models. He is currently developing a Zero Energy Village of 20 prototype homes, which broke ground this June in Palm Harbor Florida. The homes will range in price from $ 250-​$ 400,000.
LINKS
Check out the Zero energy model home gallery here:
Check out the Castaway III floorplan here:
**SOMEDAY I HOPE TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD THIS HOME**
Castaway Grand (my favorite ranch design):
Photo gallery:
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