Las Vegas proves smart investment for Pulte Homes

     Special to Real Estate
      Pulte Home Corp. led the nation in new-home sales last year with 20,359 closings, which included 1,078 recorded sales in Las Vegas, where it ranked third.
      Among the approximately two dozen markets in which Pulte is active, its Las Vegas division posted the third highest number of sales. Atlanta was the top-seller for the builder with 1,474 closings, while Dallas placed second with 1,128 sales.
      Company founder Bill Pulte is delighted with the company's showing in Las Vegas.
      "What all of these numbers mean to buyers is that because of Pulte's powerful resources, we are able to deliver the best product to our customers," he said.
      "We embrace diversification and give families a wide range of prices and locations to meet their lifestyle. We do this with one very important philosophy: maintain the highest quality standard no matter what we build. We've succeeded because we know our customers. We know what they want, we know what they can afford and, most importantly, we know how to give them value in their home."
      An example, Pulte said, is his company's use of energy- and cost-efficient construction.
      The builder recently became the first in Nevada to offer a solar water heating system, which is available at Crown Ridge, a neighborhood in Summerlin, and Stallion Mountain Country Club, a gated golf course community in the southeastern valley.
      These homes also feature an Energy Star package, which may include upgraded insulation, windows that reduce heat transfer, and a more efficient heating and cooling system. These features, Pulte said, can save homeowners as much as 50 percent on utility costs.
      Stallion Mountain is comprised of three neighborhoods: The Links, The Fairways and The Greens. Homes are priced from the $120,000s to the low $200,000s and range from 1,193 to 2,881 square feet.
      Steve Petruska, president of the builder's Las Vegas division, said the community has been well-received.
      "Many new residents think the only way they can afford to live in an upscale golf course community is to move to a smaller city outside of Las Vegas. This is simply not true," Petruska said.
      To visit, take Flamingo Road east, past Boulder Highway, and follow the signs.
      Crown Ridge homes range from 2,422 to 3,012 square feet and are priced from the high $210,000s. To visit, go to The Willows village, which is south of Sahara Avenue and west of Hualapai Way.
      Pulte offers more than 100 floor plans in its single-family and attached homes. Homes range from 900 to 3,850 square feet.
      Prices start from the $90,000s at the builder's Stoneridge condominium development, and range to the $400,000s at Eden Ridge, which is scheduled to open soon.
      All of the builder's sales offices are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily except Monday, when they open at noon.
      Pulte Home Corp. is based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.