Twins double up at Richmond's Alterra

Living next-door to one another is a dream come true for twin sisters Pat Metcalf and Susan Matthews, who recently purchased new homes in Richmond American's Alterra neighborhood.

"We have always had an extremely close relationship, and living so near will only strengthen our bond," Metcalf said. "We cannot wait for our appointment at Richmond's design center. It is going to be so fun picking out everything we will decorate our houses with, plus we get to do it together."

Matthews agreed.

"We always wanted to be able to walk next door and have coffee with each other, and now we are just steps away," she said. "We are even talking about installing a gate in our fence so we can have adjoining yards."

Raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Metcalf moved to Las Vegas in 1976, followed by Matthews in 1989.

The neighborhood of courtyard homes is located in northwest Las Vegas.

"These homes really spoke to us," Matthews said. "We love the unique design and efficient use of space. Even though my home is actually 1,300 square feet, it feels like a 2,000-square-foot home. Also, the northwest area is quiet and it is nice to get away from the city.

"I like that each home has its own back yard and is the perfect size for easy upkeep. We did not want yards that were too big because we do not have the time for the landscaping maintenance."

Matthews purchased the two-story, 1,357-square-foot Spring plan with three bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and a two-car garage.

"This home is the ideal size for my two sons and me to live in comfortably," she said.

Priced from the $160,000s, Matthews' home also features a great room, dining room and kitchen downstairs.

Metcalf chose the two-story Winter plan, which measures 1,485 square feet with three bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths.

Priced from the low $170,000s, her residence includes a formal dining room and a kitchen with a nook downstairs. A master-bedroom retreat is optional with this plan.

Buyers can also choose from two additional floor plans.

The Summer design measures 1,418 square feet and is expandable to 1,598 square feet. It is priced from the $170,000s.

The Fall residence measures 1,645 square feet, and can be expanded to 1,933 square feet. It is priced from the $180,000s.

To visit Alterra, take U.S. Highway 95 to Durango Drive, go east to El Capitan Way and head north. Proceed to Racel Street and go west.

The sales office is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Monday and Friday, when it opens at noon.

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