In about 5 minutes, one-half of the first new house to be built in Broken Bow’s Eagle Crest Subdivision was lifted off its trailer by Nebraska Crane out of Kearney, and snugged into place next to its mate already set on the home’s basement walls.
The new housing area on the northeast side of Broken Bow has been open for new construction for only a short time now. However, many of the 31 lots in the area are under contract negotiation to be purchased at this point. The plan is to encourage the building of affordable family homes.
Scotti Ross, Executive Director of the Custer Economic Development Corporation (CEDC), stated that the Tax Increment Funding under which the property was developed allows the CEDC to offer the lots for sale for $10,000 each. This, in turn, should result in a final home price of between $20,000 to $40,000 lower than on a comparable lot elsewhere.
Ross noted that work to fill spaces in the neighborhood is ongoing, and there are still several lots available for purchase. Aside from requirements for minimum square footage, and to build within two years of purchasing a lot, Ross said there are few other limitations on the kinds of homes that can be built, or who can build them.
The new home going into the Subdivision is a Heritage Homes factory-built building. Broken Bow contractors Berggren Home Builders is a dealer for Heritage Homes, and worked with the new home-owners on customizing the floor plan, poured the foundation and basement concrete, and will be completing or contracting the work on the final details.
Tristan Berggren was on site Wednesday morning recording the progress for the new home owners. She told KCNI/KBBN that “set day” is always one of the most exciting in the build process – a culmination of months of planning and work. Berggren expects that with the main construction work already completed at the Heritage Homes factory in Wayne, NE, the home will be move-in ready in the next two-to-three weeks.
Ross told KCNI/KBBN that her office was excited to partner with the City of Broken Bow on the project providing low-cost spots for new home building. Stating that any city would be thrilled to be able to have room for such growth available, part of the goal is to impact the overall housing supply and demand market, reducing house prices throughout the area, and further incentivising new families to move in.
Potential buyers looking for a lot to build on in the Eagle Crest Subdivision can contact realtors with either Agri Affiliates at 308-872-1323, or Ideal Realty at 308-872-8360.
A project that engages groups around the community, to answer an issue often identified as a critical civic need, the first home to go into the Eagle Crest neighborhood is a good sign of growth in Broken Bow and the surrounding area.
(NOTE – Article was updated on 12/18 to correct the lot owner, and on 12/19 to include contact information for realtors offering the lots for sale.)
