Realty agents choose Southern Highlands

When Jim and Carolyn Waters purchased a home at Interlude, a Trophy Homes' neighborhood at The Villages at Southern Highlands, they used their knowledge of real estate to guide them.

Jim Waters is a former custom-home builder and a former realty agent. His wife also worked as a realty agent.

"I'm no stranger to construction, and I'm very impressed with the construction of this home," said Jim Waters, who works for a steel manufacturing company. "This is the first home we've ever purchased where we helped to design it.

"We spent some extra money on upgrades, but we spent it in the right places. Everyone who walks through the front door says, `This place is gorgeous.'"

Jim Waters also credited the builder's design staff, which showed them that insulating the walls would make the house quieter.

"They advised us that if we were insulating the interior to increase our energy efficiency, then insulating the interior walls would not be a very effective way to do that," he said. "Since making the house quieter was our objective, that's what we did, and we've been very happy with that decision."

The Waters purchased the Serenity model, which measures 2,546 square feet with three bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths or an option for a dual master suite.

The other models featured are the Harmony, which measures 2,823 square feet; and the Tranquility, which measures 3,029 square feet.

Standard features in the homes include granite counter tops, fireplaces, rounded corners and upgraded appliances.

All the homes at the gated neighborhood are single-story floor plans.

"I can't say enough about that feature of the community. It's so great not to have to look up or out the window and see the side of the house next to you, or not have to see somebody brushing their teeth in the house behind you when you're sitting outside drinking your coffee," Waters said.

Homes at the neighborhood are priced from $220,000 to $260,000.

The Villages at Southern Highlands showcases home designs by several builders, and prices range from the $130,000s to the $400,000s.

To visit, take Interstate 15 to Lake Mead Drive and follow the signs. Models are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

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