New Communities By Pardee Homes Shine in 2012 SoCal Awards

LOS ANGELES, CA, September 21, 2012 (Press-News.org) Pardee Homes put four of its latest new-home neighborhoods in front of SoCal Awards judges, and all four are Finalists as Community of the Year in this prestigious competition. Providing affordable and move-up ownership opportunities to Southern California homebuyers, Pardee Homes' Finalists include: San Diego's Brightwater at Pacific Highlands Ranch and Sorrento Heights at Sorrento Valley; and Lake Elsinore's LivingSmart Homes Hillside and LivingSmart Homes Parkside, both in Canyon Hills. Each also earned Finalist recognition for such categories as architectural design, interior merchandising and landscaping.

Pardee earned a total of 12 Finalist honors, including two for Individual Achievement. Leslie Kelley was noted for her management of Pardee's Southern California design studios and Steve Spence earned kudos for his customer service management in the Inland Empire.

"Pardee Homes consistently delivers an outstanding residential opportunity to their buyers, and this is what consistently impressed our judges as they toured," said Lisa Parrish, Judging Chair for the SoCal Awards. "They noted outstanding designs, great community settings and a superior green program--all the pluses buyers are seeking and all delivered to diverse markets."

Hillside and Parkside Finalists are part of Pardee's LivingSmart Homes series, a design brand launched in 2009 to address recessionary doldrums, particularly in its Inland Empire birthplace. Today, LivingSmart Homes is a proven winner with strong and broad appeal, as demonstrated by 66 sales at these two neighborhoods since their summer grand openings.

"The LivingSmart Homes series hits the sweet spot by delivering style, high-performance and attainable pricing, a combination that starter buyers, families and empty nesters all appreciate," said Pardee Homes President and CEO Mike McGee. "Our umbrella LivingSmart brand is integral to these homes, and key to the value-added message."

Pardee Homes' focus on the advantages of green-built homes and sustainable communities is just as meaningful to buyers at the higher end, as evidenced with its San Diego Community of the Year Finalists: Brightwater at Pacific Highlands Ranch and Sorrento Heights. In all four Finalist communities, home shoppers discover some 30 standard and optional features that help reduce home operating costs, conserve natural resources, improve home comfort and enhance indoor air quality.

In Pardee's Finalist communities, standards include radiant barrier roof sheathing, low VOC interior paint, water-efficient front yard landscaping and convenient recycling centers. Among available features are roof-integrated solar power systems, tankless water heaters, central vacuum systems, low fiber flooring materials and electric car charging stations.

"LivingSmart enhances new home quality and performance, and its success shows that these benefits matter to buyers who make their pick with Pardee," said Joyce Mason, vice president of marketing. "We're delighted to thank So Cal judges--and homebuyers who appreciate greener homes and sustainable communities."

Sponsored by Sales and Marketing Councils throughout Southern California, The SoCal Awards honor superior achievement in sales, marketing and merchandising excellence. The Sales & Marketing Councils it represents are part of the Building Industry Association of Southern California, Inc. Judges represent a cross section of home building's professional disciplines, and toured all eligible communities.

Pardee Homes is recognized for its superior master-planning concepts, quality homes, responsive customer service and dedication to the educational and civic goals of the communities in which it builds. The company's many awards honor design and planning, and commitment to greener and more sustainable new home development. Visit www.pardeehomes.com.