Real Homes by Centex Homes touts positive buyer feedback

     Special to Real Estate
      Dallas-based Centex Corp.'s purchase last year of Las Vegas-based Real Homes has been beneficial to both companies as well as home buyers, according to Brad Burns, division president of Real Homes by Centex Homes.
      At the time of the transaction, Burns said his goal was to have his company ranked among the top three home builders in Southern Nevada within three to five years. In 1998, Real Homes recorded 291 new-home sales, ranking the company 16th in the local market. In 1999, it moved into ninth position with 442 recorded sales, according to Home Builders Research Inc.
      "It was a perfect match from the beginning," Burns said. "We offer the knowledge and experience that comes from being an integral part of the community, and Centex Homes augments this with a tremendous buying power that helps keep our costs low. In turn, this enables us to deliver homes that offer both affordability and increased value."
      Burns said a recent survey showed that nine out of 10 home buyers would recommend his company to their friends and family. Robert Bogdan, who bought a home at the builder's Granite Creek neighborhood, is one such buyer.
      "My wife Dana and I are very particular about who and what we endorse," Bogdan said. "We have fairly high standards of what we expect in quality and service, and it's only when a person or company goes well beyond this, demonstrating exemplary efforts, that we feel comfortable enough to recommend them to people we know."
      Burns is delighted about the positive feedback.
      "We offer floor plans that we believe are family friendly," he said. "Built with an eye on both form and function, we try to implement those features that time, experience and, most importantly, buyer input have shown to be most important. For instance, we've noted that great rooms, lofts and bonus rooms are very popular, so in our newest communities we've included these design elements wherever possible. We also offer a variety of upgrades and options that further empower our buyers to fully customize their new home.
      "We understand the excitement and curiosity surrounding the building process. Our policy has always been to encourage our buyers to visit during construction. It's an amazing experience to actually watch your home take shape."
      The new venture has reaped additional benefits as well, according to Burns.
      "Land values continue to soar as our community continues this phenomenal growth," he said. "Having the backing, resources and research of a company the size of Centex Homes gives us a definite edge. We're incorporating time-honored traditions that have been used successfully by Centex throughout the country. Education programs such as construction management for our team, as well as ongoing orientation and education programs for our subcontractors, have proven to save time, money and increase productivity. Again, this savings is passed along to our buyers."
      Ron Ebens, customer service manager, agrees.
      "Real Homes has always been very service-oriented," Ebens said. "But since partnering with Centex Homes, we've expanded our warranty service to encompass Centex Certainty, which begins with on-site meetings prior to closing and follows through with updates. It's a very extensive way of meeting the needs of our home buyers in the most thorough way possible."
      The builder has four neighborhoods with floor plans that range from 1,054 to 2,250 square feet. All of the neighborhoods are located in North Las Vegas.
      Granite Creek has six floor plans, priced from the $110,000s to high $130,000s. To visit, take Craig Road to Camino al Norte, head north to Ann Road and travel east. Turn north at Revere Street.
      Four floor plans are available at Tropical Breeze, where prices start at $111,990. To visit, take Craig Road to Camino al Norte, head north to Ann Road then west to Simmons Street. Drive north on Simmons to Tropical Parkway, then turn east.
      There are four single- and two-story floor plans at Whispering Meadows. Homes are priced from $118,000 to the low $140,000s. To visit, take Craig Road to Camino al Norte, head north to Ann Road, east to Revere Street then north to Kitamaya Street.
      At Genevieve Court, homes range from 1,075 to 1,378 square feet and are priced from $102,740. To visit, take Craig Road to Camino al Norte, head north to Ann Road then west to Simmons Street. Go north on Simmons and follow the signs.
      Financing is available through CTX Mortgage Co., a subsidiary of Centex Homes.
      All sales offices and model homes are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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