Installing Permex Shutters, Viewing the Open Floor Plan, and Meeting the Affordable Home Buyers

Clip Summary

Bob meets general contractor Wes Lohr at the Colonial-style affordable home in Mashpee, Massachusetts. The exterior of the home is receiving finishing touches as synthetic Permex shutters from JL Shutters are installed. These solid, handsome shutters feature a lifetime warranty against defects and a ten-year warranty on the painted finish from Sherwin Williams. Bob is inside one of the Mashpee, Massachusetts, affordable homes where the work is nearly completed. Bob walks us through a non-traditional open floor plan in this Colonial-style home. The living room opens onto the eat-in area of the spacious kitchen. Off of the kitchen is another room suitable for use as a dining room, study, or playroom. Bellawood floors run throughout the rooms. Kenmore appliances have been installed in the kitchen. Developer Joe Valle explains Massachusetts' Act 40B to Bob. This statute allows a developer to make full use of the land, without the constraints of stringent town zoning laws, in exchange for the creation of quality affordable homes. This four-acre parcel would typically have two homes, but Act 40B has allowed for the development of 11 homes, four of which are affordable in price. They will sell for half the price of the market homes in the neighborhood. The remaining homes will be sold at market price, but by law all of the houses must be of the same quality, size, workmanship, and layout. Bob meets Kelli and Scott Jacobson and their daughter who will soon be moving into the Cape Cod-style affordable home in Mashpee, Massachusetts. Scott is a contractor and Kelli an at-home Mom. They explain that in this community it would have taken 20 years of savings to enter the housing market. Scott credits Kelli for getting them into a first-time homebuyers seminar at the housing assistance corporation. They all agree it's important to learn what's available in the community, what's being built, and which programs can help families purchase an affordable home. Bob discusses the choices they have made for their new home, including the stainless-steel line of kitchen appliances from Kenmore. Kelli explains that they have a more modern and professional look, which is suited to her love of cooking and entertaining. They will also have a Vermont Castings electric fireplace installed in the dining room that opens onto the living room and the kitchen.