Turtle Rock engages purchasers' attention

After the walk-through of their new home on Oct. 22, Michael Harrison and Anna Strong talked about how they came to be owners at Meritage's Turtle Rock neighborhood in the northwestern valley.

"When we moved to Las Vegas after college three years ago, we bought a home in Henderson," Strong said. "At that point, Michael had just gotten a job where he could work out of our home, and I was still looking. It seemed like a great choice at the time."

She eventually went to work for the government at a site about 85 miles from their home. After doing that long commute for more than a year, the couple started looking for a home in the northwestern valley, which would cut Strong's commute in half.

"We looked at a lot of homes and a lot of floor plans by a lot of builders," she said, pointing out that they found what they wanted at Turtle Rock.

"We were one of the first 15 couples on the waiting list," Strong said. "One night in early June, I came home from work and Michael said, `I want to take you out for dinner tonight.' While we were at dinner, he gave me a card that said, `Congratulations to the new homeowner.' He had received a call from Meritage, and we needed to select our lot so they could start on the home."

On June 25, Harrison convinced Strong they should drive out to the neighborhood to see if any work had been done on their home.

"I had been over earlier that day, talking with (our sales agent)," Harrison said. "I told her I wanted to start my relationship with Anna on the right foot in the new house, so we went to the concrete slab and I spray-painted a red heart where our bedroom would be."

When the couple walked to the heart on the slab, Harrison got down on one knee and asked Strong to marry him. She accepted.

They chose Plan 5001 Silver Sand, a 2,030-square-foot, single-story home with four bedrooms, three baths and a two-car garage. The design is priced from $344,950.

Because Meritage offered the option, the couple decided to have the third bedroom converted to an office with hardwood floors for Harrison's use as an investment counselor. The rest of the house is floored with a fieldstone look, which was carried through to the sides of the shower in the master bedroom.

Harrison and Strong decided to invest in upgraded appliances, floors and other extras because they plan on staying in the home for a while.

"After you've owned one home, you go through the whole list of things you wish you had done with that one," Strong said. "Then you do it with the next one."

Because their Henderson home sold quickly, the couple had to move in with Harrison's parents for a while.

"We are so looking forward to moving in to our new home," Harrison said. "It's nice that we could stay with my mom, but with them and the two of us and our three dogs, it's been close quarters."

Both Harrison and Strong praised their relationship with the Meritage sales and construction teams.

"The people at Meritage were wonderful," Harrison said. "Whatever we wanted, they were willing to accommodate us. It was a great experience buying a home from this builder."

Turtle Rock is a neighborhood of one- and two-story homes north of Interstate 215 and west of U.S. Highway 95.

Three additional floor plans are available, each with a split three-car garage.

Plan 5002 Clearwater is a four-bedroom, three-bath, two-story residence that measures 2,360 square feet. It is priced from $378,950.

Plan 5003 Dunes Creek is a three-bedroom, three-bath, two-story design with 2,843 square feet. It is priced from $404,950.

Plan 5004 Crystal Cove is a five-bedroom, four-bath, two-story plan that measures 2,829 square feet, and is priced from $406,950.

The homes are built to ComfortWise standards, and are designed and built for energy efficiency. Such homes ensure lower energy bills and qualify for Energy Star certification.

To visit, take U.S. Highway 95 to the Durango Drive exit, head west to Frontage Road and go north. Turn west at Severance Lane, proceed to Grand Canyon Parkway and go north just past Farm Road.

The sales office and models are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

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