US Home's staff helps couple juggle schedule

Scheduling is important to Zoe and Michael Smith, who were able to coordinate the completion of their new home in Aberdeen in Southern Highlands with the birth of their daughter, Camille, and a two-week trip to Louisiana for her christening and a wedding.

"... the whole staff at US Home was terrific and so helpful," Zoe Smith said. "We had to coordinate the close of escrow so we could get everything moved in prior to our trip to Louisiana.

"We were in Louisiana during Hurricane Lily, so you can imagine the teasing we took about naming our daughter Camille. Everyone assumed we had named her after the famous 1960s Hurricane Camille."

Zoe Smith, who was on maternity leave from her position in law enforcement, and Michael Smith, general manager of a restaurant, said they took their time looking for a new home. The couple have lived in Las Vegas for 2 1/2 years, and were interested in the Southern Highlands community in the southwestern valley. Initially, the Smiths did not see a floor plan they liked.

Upon a return visit, they stopped by US Home's sales office and were directed to another of the builder's neighborhoods to see the Brentwood Expanded model.

"That was all it took. We saw the model home and went directly back to Aberdeen the same afternoon and bought our new home," Michael Smith said.

"First, we really liked the Southern Highlands area. The future parks are a plus for us and the area is less congested. We like the idea of being a bit away from town and in the foothills," Zoe Smith said.

They were also impressed by the yard space, and the home's great room design featuring a kitchen opening to the family room and a counter with seating for as many as eight people.

"It's a great design for entertaining," Zoe Smith said.

The kitchen also features a counter work area, informal dining area and a pantry. The Smiths opted for two pantries instead of the standard built-in desk or optional wet bar.

They also liked the master suite.

"It's really wonderful. Loads of closet space. Michael and I were laughing that the walk-in closet was so huge we could turn it into a nursery for Camille," Zoe Smith said.

One other small detail really impressed Zoe Smith.

"None of the other homes we had looked at had window sills. I know it's a small thing, but our Brentwood has wooden window sills. They're nicer to look at and a whole lot easier to keep clean," she said.

The plan is one of six designs available in the neighborhood. Each plan offers flexible interiors and the opportunity to expand its square footage.

The single-level design is available with 2,550 square feet or an expanded version featuring 3,070 square feet. The standard plan offers four bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and a three-car garage. Optional configurations include double-master-suite plans; a bonus room in lieu of two bedrooms; a five-bedroom plan with three baths; and a garage bonus room. The home is priced from the $280,000s.

Additional floor plans at the gated neighborhood include the single-level La Jolla, measuring from 2,873 to more than 3,018 square feet; the two-story Thousand Oaks, ranging from 3,229 to more than 3,700 square feet; the two-story San Clemente, measuring from 3,880 to more than 4,500 square feet; and the Beverly Hills, ranging from 3,558 to more than 3,800 square feet.

Under construction is the Coronado model, a new two-story design featuring a turret foyer and optional courtyard entry. The home measures 4,402 square feet with three to five bedrooms, four baths, and a three-car garage.

Standard features include granite counter tops, oak cabinetry, upgraded appliances, pot and pan drawers, cultured-marble vanities, garden tubs in the master suites, separate ceramic-tile showers per plan, and ceramic-tile entries.

To visit, take Interstate 15 to Blue Diamond Road, exit west to Decatur Boulevard, go south to Somerset Hills and head west. The sales office is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Monday, when it opens at 11 a.m.

Other neighborhoods by the builder, a division of Lennar Corp., are Palazzo Monte at Seven Hills, and Spanish Springs and Steeplechase in the northwestern valley.

Real Estate home