In east Beatrice next to Hannibal Park, three new homes sit empty, waiting for a family.

The three-bedroom, two-bath houses were built last fall. The new development, named Hannibal View, is aimed at helping first-time home buyers, and people who are simply looking for a change.

Developer Bill Scully said the decision to build the homes came about after a community housing meeting.

In a discussion with Jamie Renshaw, the topic of new housing came up.

Renshaw pointed out that Beatrice had a need for housing in the price range of $150,000 to $200,000.

Many of the houses in Beatrice are reaching the end of their usable life,” Scully said. “When you buy an old house you either have to remodel it or tear it down and build a new one.”

“And if you have to do that, you don’t have time to spend with your family,” said Danny Starostka, of Star Homes, one of the home builders. “Buying one of these houses gives you the chance to spend your evenings and weekends with your family, instead of scraping paint or patching roofs.”

Average monthly payments on the homes, priced at $145,900 to $148,500, are estimated at between $700 and $800, and the average electric bill is less than $100, said builder Mark Lewis.

 The homes have been reduced by $15,000 from their original price.

Plus, the houses qualify for the $8,000 first-time buyers program, which is being offered through the end of 2009.

And just to get things started, Starostka, and his partner Mark Lewis of Star Homes agreed, “We’ll take trades.”

Read more here from the Beatrice Daily Sun