COLUMN: Del Webb debuts impressive new collection

The median price of a new home in Southern Nevada is $181,170.

So, when I trekked April 4 to Anthem Country Club to view the 12 new models built by Del Webb, I kept in mind that these homes are on the high side of the median price and my home is on the other side.

Sean Patrick, director of public affairs for Webb, gave me and my husband the Cook's tour.

The new models are broken into four collections: Province, which features three homes starting in the low $200,000s; Meridian, which has three homes from the high $200,000s; Sterling, which features five homes starting in the low $400,000s; and Crowne Pointe, which has five homes from the mid-$500,000s. Yes, there are 16 homes, but only 12 are modeled.

The homes are gorgeous.

Patrick pointed out the difference between the new floor plans and the inaugural collection.

"The original homes were more oriented to single professionals and couples, where these homes are designed for families," he said.

The difference became obvious while seeing the configuration of the new collection. They offer more bedrooms, studies or dens, and options for teen rooms, casitas and bonus rooms. The Brighton model includes a theater option.

One thing all of the homes have in common are courtyards. Some homes have courtyards in the entries, hidden behind casitas or the third bay of the garage.

The Hampton design places the courtyard in the center of the home, surrounded by rooms that open onto it. This floor plan makes the courtyard the entertainment area of choice and offers the outdoors in complete privacy. It is like having the front yard in the middle of the house.

Does that last option sound great? Did I fall in love with the home? Could I afford it? Yes, yes and no.

As usual, Webb spared no expense getting the homes ready for viewing. All the latest in upgrades were used inside the homes and the street was finished with shrubs, trees and paver stones. Patrick said the crews worked right up to the opening at 5:30 p.m., touching up paint, installing fixtures, planting shrubs. It all looked great.

The changes between the old Del Webb and the new, Pulte-owned Del Webb are obvious. The old Webb put on lavish spreads for its model openings; the new Webb offered cheese, veggies and dip, and red or white wine.

Patrick said Webb typically gets 50 percent of its business from referrals, so residents are always on the list of invitees to its grand openings.

It was fun touring with Patrick, and he said he had fun going around with us. When I go into a home, I always view it as a potential buyer and exclaim enthusiastically over each feature. He said it gave him a fresh perspective on the homes because, after all, he had seen them go up and toured them during construction.

In my humble opinion, Webb has hit a home run with these beautiful, family friendly collections of homes. There wasn't a clunker in the group, and each of them has a feature that makes it stand out from the crowd.

If you're in the economic category where you could buy a home valued at higher than the median home in Las Vegas, you should check out these models. Even if you're not, it's worth your time to see these floor plans.

Carmel Hopkins, real estate product manager for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Las Vegas Sun, can be reached at 380-4574. Her e-mail address is Carmel_Hopkins@ reviewjournal.com. Snail mail is P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125.

Real Estate home