OCTOBER FEATURE – CROWNING 2011′s POPULARITY CONTEST WINNERS
What makes a particular home design win the ultimate beauty contest with new homebuyers? It could be a generously sized back yard, the sheer beauty of the space, or even the ever-attractive talent of offering flexibility within the plan. A home design could become a popular candidate because the floor plan just has a royal feel to it or maybe the community offers a bevy of homes with a country club lifestyle at an un-country club price. No matter what reason a home design may have made it to the final stage, the reasons inevitably vary from one set of homebuyers to the next. We have polled our audience and now share with you the most popular floor plans Las Vegas Valley area builders have to offer in 2011.
DISCOVERY HOMES
The Janet floor plan at Discovery Homes’ community of Cascade has several spectacular spaces, which probably has a lot to do with why it’s the builder’s most popular home design. In particular, the master bedroom, with a huge walk-in closet, and the master bathroom will leave you in awe as it’s a space befitting a king.
One especially coveted feature in the design is the flow of the floor plan as well as many included features for the price per square foot. Also, the interior courtyard, which has access from both the kitchen and formal living room, is a highlight of this home and perfect for entertaining.
The home’s best standard features are a huge horseshoe-shaped kitchen island, interior courtyard for entertaining, sizable covered front yard porch, granite slab kitchen countertop, coffered ceilings in formal entry, formal living and dining, master bedroom and bathroom, paver driveways, security system pre-wire, structured wiring panel, dual sinks in master bathroom with adult-height vanity, and three-car tandem garage.
The Janet plan’s options are a covered patio that includes a second story covered deck off the master bedroom, spacious stacked cabinetry that is built to the ceiling in the kitchen, and a butler’s pantry off the formal dining room.
The Spanish-, Tuscan- and Southern Italian-style homes at Cascade range in size from 2,159 to 4,147 square feet, and are priced from $189,990 to $309,990.
To visit the community of Cascade, take the 215 Beltway to Buffalo then head south past Blue Diamond, after passing Blue Diamond turn right on Gomer to the first community on the left hand side. www.discoveryhomes.us
DISTINCTIVE HOMES
Described as warm, functional, and offering a presidential feeling may be one reason why Distinctive Homes’ 4177 Plan at Canyons Estates is their best selling model. That home’s overwhelming stately feel comes from the formal living room which is a dramatic vaulted two-story space with optional magnificent fireplace and inviting hearth as well as the included classic library overlooking the space.
Additionally, the team at Distinctive Homes notes the 4177 Plan has a unique way of taking advantage of every square inch of space in the most beautiful and esthetically pleasing way. One example is the over-sized, architecturally interesting walk-thru pantry space. And the layout/floor plan is very flexible and accommodating.
The model’s standard features include its columns, dramatic height, and architecturally designed niches in the formal living and dining area, as well as the loft, library, and included casita. Plan 4177’s options include a dramatic fireplace offered in the formal living room, and a three-sided fireplace in the master bedroom. In addition, the plan’s options include front and rear balconies and covered porch areas. Buyers also find that Distinctive Homes’ ability to customize floor plans to the buyers’ needs is something that makes them stand out from the crowd.
The Old Colonial-style homes at Canyons Estates range in size from 2,931 to 4,783 square feet and are priced from $401,990 to $509,990.
To visit Canyons Estates, take I-15 to the West 215 Beltway using the Decatur exit. Go south on Decatur to Warm Springs, then east on Warm Springs to Valley View. Head north on Valley View and the community will be on the northwest corner of Warm Springs and Valley View. www.dhlv.com
DUNHILL HOMES
Dunhill Homes’ Model 2173 is such a hit with new homebuyers that it is one of the few floor plans the builder offers at both of its Southern Nevada master plans — Tuscany Village and Rhodes Ranch. This model is one of Dunhill Homes’ best sellers because of its design and flexibility. The open layout includes a beautiful kitchen with a gourmet cooking island that overlooks both the dining room and great room. In addition, centrally located between the owner’s suite and kitchen, the oversized great room is the true showpiece of the home.
The kitchen is a central feature in the home, designed to make it a perfect place to entertain. Residents of all Dunhill homes can enjoy the lifestyle the builder creates with modern, energy-efficient homes in communities that offer numerous social and fitness opportunities.
The home’s standards are an oversized walk-in closet in the master suite, gourmet kitchen island and pantry, bonus garage storage space, and Dunhill Homes’ signature valet.
Among Plan 2173′s most attractive amenities are its many options for personalization, including flexible space that can be used as an owner’s sitting room, home office, fourth bedroom or oversized great room. Additionally, the two-car garage with bonus storage space can be built as a three-car garage, and patios can also be built outside of the home’s master bedroom and great room.
The Tuscan-, Andalusian-, and Italian-style homes at Tuscany Village range in size from 1,215 to 2,700 square feet and start at $129,990. The Santa Barbara-, Southern Italian-, and Tuscan-style homes at Rhodes Ranch are priced starting at $184,990 and range in size between 1,532 and 3,649 square feet.
To visit Rhodes Ranch, take the 215 to Durango Drive and drive south to Rhodes Ranch Parkway. Head west on Rhodes Ranch Parkway then south on Sherwood Greens. Follow the signs to the sales office, located at 223 Honors Course Drive. For more information, call 702-740-4111.
To visit Tuscany Village, take Lake Mead Drive in Henderson heading east. Follow the signs to the community and turn left on Mohawk Drive to the main entrance. Tuscany’s sales office is located at 1549 Olivia Parkway. For more information, call 702-873-7287. www.DunhillHomes.com
HARMONY HOMES
The versatility of Harmony Homes’ Residence Two – Plan 2140 at Summit at Sunrise Highlands makes it an easy choice for new homebuyers. It’s a single-story home offering the flexibility to be adapted to the varying needs of today’s buyers with three bedrooms, 2-½ baths, and the option of up to five bedrooms and four baths. Residence Two – Plan 2140 is all flexibility and conveniences at a bargain starting price of $184,990.
Harmony Homes maximizes the plan’s living space by following an open design concept with its kitchen island overlooking the family room and separate living and dining rooms. A focal point of the home, the open kitchen/family room area features an oversized island that overlooks the family room and dining nook.
The plan’s standard features are a gourmet-style kitchen with granite countertops and beech cabinetry, cultured-marble countertops in the baths, and paver-stone driveways. Standout options in Residence Two – Plan 2140 include the opportunity to build the home with a fourth or fifth bedroom, up to four baths, casita or home office, and/or a covered patio.
The Tuscan-style homes at Summit at Sunrise Highlands range in size from 1,817 to 3,754 square feet and are priced starting at $169,990.
To reach Summit at Sunrise Highlands, take U.S. Highway 95 to Boulder Highway and head north on Boulder Highway. Head east on Sahara Avenue and drive past Hollywood Boulevard. Turn right on Dawning Day Drive and then right on Young Sky Avenue. www.harmonyhomes.com
LENNAR
Lennar’s Tustin plan at Westminster has become a best seller with land lovers because this gorgeous one-story floor plan comes with a large back yard that includes RV space. The home’s design is a very open one-story, which is highly desirable and rare in Las Vegas, especially when it is also paired with a decent sized yard.
This home’s kitchen, great room, nook, and dining room are all open to each other, which make it very modern and visually appealing not to mention an excellent home for entertaining. The Tustin comes standard with three bedrooms and a den but there is an option to turn the den into a fourth bedroom.
The Western Contemporary homes being built in the community of Westminster range in size from 2,544 to 3,911 square feet and are priced in the high $200,000s.
To visit the community of Westminster from the 215 exiting at Hualapai, go west on Elkhorn Road. Elkhorn ends at Egan Crest. Take a right into gates into the community on the right. www.lennar.com/lasvegas
RYLAND HOMES
Homebuyers are heading to Ryland’s Jasmine community in droves because they are smitten with the Orchid plan and its innovative home design of unique features that are complemented with country club style community amenities for nearly the same price as rent.
The Orchid floor plan has an open feel and distinct features including a rooftop deck option that’s perfect for an additional entertaining space or a retreat under the stars. Additionally, the expansive balcony just off the dining area contributes to the open feel of the plan and adds natural light.
With this split-level plan, the master bedroom is separate from the secondary bedrooms with great room, kitchen, dining area, and balcony close by so it can be enjoyed as single-story living.
Orchid’s standard features include nine-foot ceilings on both levels of the home, a 20-foot full-size driveway, two-car garage, and energy-saving features. The model’s options are a rooftop deck, luxury entertainment package, and Move-In Ready appliance package.
Ryland’s homes at Jasmine range from 1,479 to 1,682 square feet and are priced starting at $152,990.
To reach Jasmine, take I-15 South to St. Rose Parkway and head east, then go left on Bermuda, and take a right on Liberty Heights Ave. www.ryland.com
ST RESIDENTIAL
It’s fairly obvious why Monterey at Las Vegas Country Club is having no problem finding interested buyers in its neighborhood of best sellers. The homes at Monterey at Las Vegas Country Club offer residents the ability to live the country club lifestyle at a bargain price. The homes at Monterey at Las Vegas Country Club are approximately 800 square feet in size and are priced at $60,000.
The centrally located community offers home designs that are spacious at an amazing value. The St. Andrews III floor plan is a turnkey plan that features an open kitchen, new appliances, and granite countertops. In addition, the design’s most impressive space is its living room because of its open design.
To reach Monterey at Las Vegas Country Club from Maryland Pkwy., head west on Vegas Valley drive to the Las Vegas Country Club guard gated entrance. www.montereyst.com
WARMINGTON RESIDENTIAL NEVADA
Warmington Residential Nevada’s Johnston Plan 4 at Emery has found itself at the top of the best seller list because it is so versatile. It has room for everyone with four bedrooms (optional fifth bedroom) three baths, spacious master suite with large walk-in closet, three-space garage, courtyard, and covered rear patio.
Or maybe it’s the unique features the model has to offer like the courtyard, large loft and optional library, and optional fifth bedroom.
Warmington’s Johnson Plan 4′s standards are GE® stainless-steel kitchen appliances including dishwasher, built-in gas cooktop, microwave, and built-in oven. Another standard is granite countertops. Options include Piedrafina™ bathroom countertops and bath surrounds offering an expensive look for an affordable price.
The Desert Prairie-style homes at Warmington’s Emery community start in the low $200,000s and range in size from 1,871 to 3,043 square feet.
To reach Emery from the 215 Beltway, exit Hualapai and go north for approximately 1.2 miles. Go left on Farm Road for ½ mile, past Egan Crest Way and turn right on Crescent Mountain Street, take the first left on Silver Peak Run Drive, then the first left on Mount Victoria Lane and the sales office will be on the right. www.HomesByWarmington.com/LasVegas