Pulte impresses Silverstone Ranch home buyers

Pulte Homes' sales staff at Silverstone Ranch impressed home shoppers Dawn and Tobe Martin on their first visit to the community in the northwestern valley.

"We received such a warm reception upon first entering the community," Dawn Martin said. "It was a friendly atmosphere and everyone wanted to talk to us."

The Martins proceeded to purchase a home, then celebrated before their move from Maryland with a Las Vegas-themed wedding, complete with an ace-of-hearts bouquet carried by the bride.

Tobe Martin is retired from the newspaper industry, while Dawn Martin works with computers. They chose a residence from the Oakmont Collection, which comprises all single-story homes.

"We selected the 1640 plan because the size was just right and the layout perfect," Dawn Martin said. "The master bedroom is separate from the other bedrooms, which is ideal for guests."

The plan can be built with two bedrooms and a den or optional third bedroom, two baths, nine-foot ceilings and a two-car garage. A bay window is optional in the master bedroom.

The collection offers four floor plans, ranging from 1,520 to 1,881 square feet. Prices start from the low $400,000s.

The energy-efficient homes include features such as low-e windows and blown-in cellulose insulation.

"Our home's insulation is great. The home is so soundproof," Martin said.

The homes are also Energy Star certified and feature the Platinum Plus level of Environments for Living technology. A three-year heating and cooling energy-use and comfort guarantee is included. Select communities by the builder offer 2X6 construction around living spaces.

The community is built around the 27-hole Silverstone Golf Club, which was a factor in the couple's purchase decision.

Homeowners at Silverstone Ranch receive a 20 percent discount on the initiation fee for club membership. Member benefits include preferred rates and tee times.

Anchoring the course is a clubhouse with a restaurant, banquet facilities, an event lawn, valet service, a learning center, locker rooms, a pro shop and practice facility.

Community amenities include a 6-acre park, basketball and tennis courts, playgrounds and arbors. Open areas allow for hiking, jogging and bicycling.

The Oakmont Collection is one of six available at Silverstone Ranch, which offers 23 home designs. Four other collections of single-family homes offer floor plans ranging from 1,583 to 3,448 square feet. Prices start from the $390,000s to the mid-$600,000s.

Also within the community is Pinehurst, a gated townhome development offering floor plans that measure 1,346 to 2,016 square feet. Prices start from the $370,000s. Shared amenities will include tennis courts, a swimming pool, spa, parks, barbecue areas and a putting green.

To visit, take U.S. Highway 95 to Durango Drive, head east to Grand Teton Drive and turn right. Proceed to Buffalo Drive, turn left and follow the signs.

The model park is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily except Monday, when it opens at noon.

Pulte Homes Inc., based in Michigan, has operations in more than 40 markets nationwide. Under its Del Webb brand, the company is also the nation's leading builder of communities for people age 55 and older. It also operates a mortgage company.

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