It's easy to tell that the real estate brokers for a 32-unit planned community in Bandon are excited about the homes they're selling.

With smiles on their faces, Bob Johnson and Joe Briscoe led their way around the 5-acre site south of Old Town Bandon, pointing out the custom and eco-friendly features, as well as the close proximity to the ocean.

The area is surrounded by shore pines, with Tupper Creek and a walking trail meandering through it.

“We're set back. There's just enough wind that comes over the bluff. We're in a rather protected environment and you can walk to the beach in five minutes or less. It's designed around a wetland. We take great care in preserving that,” Johnson, the principal broker for Bandon Commons LLC, composed of Michael Keiser, Howard McKee and Walsh Construction, the same team that developed Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, said.

“It really took a lot of planning. We wanted to save most of the trees,” he said. “During the wintertime the creek fills up bringing mallard ducks, frogs, and egrets. And we've seen deer around here.”

The quality of the 24 homes and eight townhouses, with a style resembling Cape Cod on grounds designed to look like an English commons, is similar to that of the golf resort, which Johnson said has gained a reputation all over the world. Johnson has been a broker for the developers for 16 years.

“The same design team was involved,” Johnson said. “The construction technique is very leading edge. It's a coastal construction technique. It allows for ventilation, so there's not as much mold.

“As far as quality, a lot of details and extra steps have been taken, similar to Bandon Dunes. It's not just surface quality.”

Johnson said the project is the first of its kind in Bandon. It includes two-bedroom townhouses and two-bedroom homes both with two bathrooms and single-car garages, and three- and four-bedroom homes with either two and a half or three bathrooms and double-car garages.

The price of the homes range from $320,000 to $605,000. The square footage goes from 1,270-square-foot townhouses to 2,510-square-foot four-bedroom homes.

A homeowners' association takes care of the exterior maintenance and landscaping for $150 a month.

“We believe there's an unsatisfied market for people who want carefree, maintenance-free living,” Johnson said.

He said there are three specific buyer profiles that might be interested in Bandon Commons, including those looking for a permanent living situation.

But, the maintenance-free living could be most appealing to second homebuyers and retired folks.

“There haven't been projects constructed to meet that need,” Johnson said.

In addition, a furniture package is available, which includes all furnishings and kitchen supplies.

“Everything you need to live here,” Johnson said.

Amenities in the units include: American cherry hardwood flooring, Jeld-Wen windows, granite countertops, high-end fixtures, propane fireplaces in most units, all-electric stainless steel appliances, vaulted ceilings, wiring for alarm systems, high-speed broadband and surround sound, open living areas, laundry-utility rooms and attic fans. Some have limited ocean views. The units have a 10-year builder warranty.

Eco-friendly features include carpets that emit less chemical gases and toilets that provide a choice between half and whole flushes.

Driveways are shared courtyards, and the units have common garage walls, which are separate walls with soundboards and airspace between them, according to Briscoe.

Bob Walsh, of Walsh Construction, designed multi-layer walls, which allow air circulation but aid in preventing dampness and mold, using DuPont Tyvek, a waterproof membrane made of spunbonded olefin, Briscoe said.

Most of the homes were ready for move-in on Monday, and reservations are still available. These 32 units are phase one of the project.

Phase two, 57 additional units, are planned for the future. The entire phase one and phase two of the Bandon Commons subdivision will be constructed on 16 acres.

Those interested in finding out more about Bandon Commons, can call the real estate office at 347-5100 and talk to one of the four brokers: Johnson, Briscoe, Rushel Reed or Vicki Gernandt.