Realty agent sold on Siena

Bob Brandt is the top-selling agent at Siena, where he and his wife, Betty, recently purchased their second home. The purchase probably will not be the couple's last in the age-qualified community in Summerlin.

"Because it's what I do, every two or three years Betty and I buy a new home. Right now we are selling our 6130 Como plan to buy a 6150 Como plan, and in a couple of years we will probably sell our new home and buy another one in Siena," said Brandt, pointing out that other residents have done the same. "Hardly a day goes by without someone saying to me that they are going to sell their home and buy again in Siena. Once people find this place, rarely when they sell their homes do they leave the community. That's why I'm really looking forward to participating in the very successful Siena Resale Group now and after the new-home sales are complete."

Last year, Brandt sold 73 new homes in Siena, according to Jimmy Jones, vice president of sales.

Not only were the Brandts among the first residents of Siena, Bob Brandt has been a member of the sales team since the beginning.

"Having been in new-home sales for the past 11 years, I was working as a sales agent for another community in Las Vegas when Betty first heard about Siena. Even though there was nothing at the site yet but some graded dirt, Betty really liked the community's private aspect, the beauty of the surrounding mountains and the general location in Summerlin. So, we found a home site and we were the 11th family to move into our new home in Siena," Brandt said.

The Brandts are active members of the guard-gated community.

"We enjoy working out in the health and fitness center and playing tennis, and one of our favorite things to do is to socialize with our neighbors. I can't tell you how many people say to me that they love everything about Siena, but they really love their neighbors. We feel the same way. It's like everyone's neighbors have become extended family members. We all look out for each other and are there for each other. It's not like anything we've experienced anywhere else," Brandt said.

The couple have plans to celebrate a special occasion in the Siena Village Center, which is under construction.

"Our 25th wedding anniversary is this November, and we have already reserved the ballroom in the new community center for the party," Brandt said.

The 39,000-square-foot social center is expected to open this summer with a dome-shaped lobby and lounge, as well as a grand ballroom. An interim social center is open and a full-time activities manager is on-site.

Additional resident amenities include the Siena Golf Club, an 18-hole, par-72, daily-fee course. Siena residents are given special rates and preferred tee times. The course is complemented by a clubhouse with a pro shop and a full-service restaurant that is available for social gatherings.

The 15,900-square-foot health and fitness center features an indoor swim pavilion with a 25-meter pool and a spa overlooking the golf course, an outdoor pool and spa, and lighted tennis and bocce courts. The fitness center is equipped with cardiovascular and weight-training equipment, exercise rooms, and private sauna and steam rooms. There is also a wellness center operated by Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, as well as a full-service beauty salon and day spa.

About 1,980 homes are planned for Siena, a development of Sunrise Colony Co.

Homes are priced from the $150,000s to the $390,000s, plus home site premiums. Six Italian-themed collections feature 18 single-story floor plans, measuring from 1,040 to 3,200 square feet.

Each plan offers three exterior designs. Customizing options, per plan, include courtyard fireplaces and casitas with separate entrances. Interior designers are available to assist buyers in the on-site design studio.

To tour the model village, take Sahara Avenue or Interstate 215 to Town Center Drive and go south to Siena Monte Avenue. The sales office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

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