Green Homes Selling Fast in Dinuba | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Dinuba, Calif. In 2007, there was uncertainty over whether some vacant lots in Dinuba would ever have homes. But two years after Dunmore Homes filed for bankruptcy, developer Wathan Castanos is aggressively selling the property.

The new "Las Casas at Viscaya" subdivision office has only been open for two weeks and they've already sold 22 homes.

"We're in a really nice area of Dinuba and I think a lot of it has to do with our hybrid technology," said Gloria Banuelos with Wathan Castanos Homes.

Banuelos said the homes are energy efficient with 90-percent U.V. blocking windows, Energy Star appliances, heat-blocking roof barriers and more. The homes are also affordable. This 1,375-square foot home is selling for $149,000 dollars.

Banuelos said all types of buyers are purchasing the homes leading her to believe the South Valley housing market is looking up. "I would say the majority of them are from Dinuba we also have Cutler-Orosi and it's unbelievable but we also have people coming in from Reedley."

Loan officer Veronica Barragan said, "And even out here we have people coming in and they're having to release lots to keep up with the demand so definitely there's a demand to buy homes."

If affordability and green technology aren't enough to attract homebuyers, a special program with the U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering buyers in rural areas a 30-year, fixed rate loan with no money down. "The income requirements are for a family of 1-4 as long as you make below $73,750 you'll qualify. If you're a family of 5 or more the income limit is $97,350 which those are very generous loan limits," said Barragan.

Wathan Castanos will start building some of the newly-bought homes over the next few weeks. The company thinks it will have no problem filling all 191 lots in Dinuba.