Density, accessibility driving buyers to Cottonwood Canyon

As the housing market continues to gain strength, there are growing trends indicating new-home buyers are becoming more interested in low maintenance and accessibility.

In lieu of the large “estate lot” housing developments that were common during the pre-recession housing boom, buyers are turning towards communities with more dedicated open space, and recreational opportunities integrated into the development and nearby surroundings.

One new-home community in particular that is leading the charge at focusing on low maintenance, accessibility and using the beauty of its natural surroundings is the community of Cottonwood Canyon in Lenexa, just west of Interstate 435 off of Prairie Star Parkway/95th Street.

While today’s buyers gravitate toward less exterior home maintenance, they are often forced to give up the beauty of Mother Nature.

“Cottonwood Canyon offers the best of both worlds,” said local real estate agent Angie Ripley, who markets Cottonwood Canyon with Nita Criswell. “Maybe we are realizing just how valuable our time is, or maybe we continue to squeeze more and more into our schedules. Either way, buyers are attracted to homes and communities offering a lower maintenance, less-fuss lifestyle. Both inside and out, the more purpose-driven the better.”

Preferences for home styles still lean toward a more clean and simple feel, without giving up character and details. Front and side porches continue to increase in popularity, reflecting the interest in traditional neighborhood design where homes tend to be closer to the street and more integrated into the neighborhood.

Residential architects note that households are more focused on customized design and organized living over size, which is often in reaction to the “McMansions” of the housing boom era. Today’s buyers also continue to seek out designs incorporating open living rooms and hearth areas for overflow kitchen entertaining and single-story living, which is better suited to accommodate an aging population.

Cottonwood Canyon has beautiful rolling hill terrain and forests while its 125 home sites are integrated throughout 300 acres, offering residents expansive views overlooking rock ledges, open green spaces, golf greens and bodies of water, all from the comfort of strategically HOA manicured lots. Cottonwood Canyon is surrounded by the beauty of Canyon Farms Golf Club.

Cottonwood Canyon is near the impressive and growing mixed-use Lenexa City Center area, which features Lifetime Fitness, as well as the beautiful 1,660-acre Shawnee Mission Park.

Ripley said, “It won’t be long before there will be more than you could ever want here within a one-mile radius. This really suits our homeowners who love to walk in the community and on the adjacent Johnson County trail system.”

Cottonwood Canyon encompasses two residential neighborhoods: The Lake and The Village. Prospective buyers can find homes in The Lake ranging from $600,000 to over $1 million, and homes in The Village from $400,000 and up.

The homes here encompass a wide array of distinctive design plans from Reed Fuller Construction, B.L. Rieke Custom Homes, Brian Rodrock, Don Julian Builders and other Kansas City premier home builders.

As a maintenance-provided community, the $150 per month homeowner association dues cover snow removal and complete lawn care. Future development will include more walking trails, a pool and cabana, and picnic area, which will bestow an even greater sense of community and appeal.

“At Cottonwood Canyon, our buyers are enjoying a lifestyle, not just a house,” Ripley said. “It is hard to argue that this is not the best of both worlds and the way life was meant to be lived.”

For information regarding Cottonwood Canyon, visit CottonwoodCanyon.info, or contact Angie Ripley or Nita Criswell at 913-492-4444 or at cottonwoodcanyonks@gmail.com.

This story was originally published April 10, 2015 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Density, accessibility driving buyers to Cottonwood Canyon."