Richmond American suits family

From the first time they saw the Fall model at Richmond American's Alterra neighborhood in the northwestern valley, Bonnie and Jeffrey Jacob knew it was the right home for them.

"As soon as we came to Alterra there was no doubt that this was the place for us," Bonnie Jacob said. "But what has made a perfect home even better is knowing everything -- our flooring, our window coverings, and all the options we selected -- will be done and installed before we move in. That's something I'm really, really excited about."

The builder's design showroom features displays that include everything from custom flooring to wall and window treatments to make selections easier for buyers.

"I had so much fun at Richmond's design center. Jeff and I got to match samples of our carpet to the cabinets and counter tops, which made us feel very good about our choices. Plus, I've always wanted wood shutters but thought they would be too expensive. So, I was thrilled to find out we could buy them directly from Richmond at a great price," she said.

The Jacobs were also pleased with the design and construction of their home.

"We looked at a lot of homes, but Alterra was the only place we found the perfect combination of size, floor plan, price and quality," she said.

"We love the courtyard design and the fact that it's nearly maintenance-free. And the Fall model we picked had the perfect floor plan for our family. With two teenagers, James and Sandra, plus a couple of dogs, we needed to find a spacious home for a great value."

The design they selected is the largest of the four two-story floor plans available. It offers as many as five bedrooms in 1,645 square feet. Priced from the $180,000s, the design also offers an optional bonus room.

Other floor plans include the Spring, which has three bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths in 1,357 square feet. The Summer features three bedrooms plus options for a loft or bonus room in 1,418 square feet. The Winter offers three bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and a great room in 1,485 square feet.

They are priced from the $160,000s to the $170,000s.

"We love everything about the house we're buying ... The service we've gotten from our sales representative, the design consultants, and the mortgage lender have convinced us we made the perfect choice," Jacob said.

To visit, take U.S. Highway 95 to Durango Drive, go east to El Capitan Way and turn north. Proceed to Racel Street and go west. The models are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Monday and Friday, when they open at noon.

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