Kearney communities offer $2,500 paid closing cost, free club membership

Located just 20 miles north of downtown Kansas City and directly on Interstate 35, Kearney offers a small-town suburban setting; yet it is close to all major attractions the Kansas City area has to offer.

In 2010, Kearney was voted the “Best Affordable Suburb in the State of Missouri” by Business Week magazine. The publication noted its very low crime rate, excellent school system and abundance of parks, trails and recreational activities among the lifestyle amenities that make it a great place to live.

Craig Porter of Porter Communities has found the school system is also a huge draw for new homebuyers.

“The Kearney district is consistently at or near the top of area schools in the MAP and ACT scores,” Porter said. “There is a real sense of pride made even stronger by the success we have enjoyed both academically and in our extracurricular activities. Our athletic teams have won numerous state championships in recent years while still excelling in the classroom, and we are very proud of the accomplishments of all of our students.”

Another draw to Kearney is the recently opened Shops at Kearney, a 200,000-square-foot shopping district featuring a 58,000-square-foot Price Chopper grocery store and numerous other shops and eating establishments.

“When you combine that with our almost non-existent crime rate and taxes that in most cases are 25 to 30 percent lower than living in Kansas City, Kearney offers a wonderful quality of life,” he said.

Jamestowne Village

Jamestown Village, recognized by many as the flagship residential community of Kearney, is now offering innovative new plans in a convenient location, Porter said.

There are several homes under construction in Jamestowne Village, including two-story, true ranch and reverse 11/2-story plans. All the homes offer three-car garages, custom cabinets with granite counter tops, walk-in pantries, hardwood floors, oversized living areas with fireplaces, large master suites with tile showers, walk-in closets and covered decks and patios. The homes are attractively priced from the $240,000s.

Only seven lots remain in the final phase. So, prospective buyers are encouraged to take advantage of all that the community has to offer, Porter added. Those purchasing and closing on a new home in Jamestowne Village before May 1 will receive $2,500 toward closing costs from the developer Porter Communities. Buyers will also receive a free Gold Membership to the new Club at MariMack, which features a large pool with beach entry and splash pad as well as a new 3,000-square-foot clubhouse.

Villas of MariMack

The Villas of MariMack offers reasonably priced maintenance-provided homes in a golf course setting, said Porter. The Villas of MariMack are traditional detached homes, starting from the $180,000s, with few of the challenges associated with normal homeownership.

“The homes in the community are some of the first in the area to include as standard features many universal design concepts that allow people to age in place,” Porter said. “Universal design features include wider doors along with zero (no-step) entries through the front door, the garage and in the shower in the master bathroom. These features allow the residents to ‘age in place,’ which is a feature very important to many empty-nesters and retirees.”

Standard elements incorporated into the interior design of the villas include custom-built cabinetry, wood floors, over-sized tile showers, ceiling fans and gas fireplaces. Basements can also be finished as part of the plan to provide more living space.

Exterior design features encompass low-maintenance vinyl siding with stone and stucco facades, decks, patios and in-ground sprinkler systems. The homeowners association operates the in-ground sprinkler system and pays for the watering and care of the lawn during warmer weather. It also provides snow removal in the winter months. Residents of the MariMack Villas are also eligible for a free Gold Membership to the Club at MariMack.

Clear Creek Ridge

Clear Creek Ridge and its sister community, Clear Creek Valley, feature four-bedroom and three-bath homes starting in the $180,000s. These homes contain many features not normally found in homes in this price range, such as custom cabinets, hardwood floors, walk-in closets and covered decks with stairs. Some also feature tile showers and large tubs in the master bath.

There are six homes currently under construction with completion scheduled for March and April. Financing is available with rates under 4 percent. Buyers of selected new homes in Clear Creek Ridge and Clear Creek Valley will also receive a free Gold Membership to the Club at MariMack.

For directions to all of the communities or for more information, contact one of the agents listed below or go to portercommunities.com. For additional information on the Club at MariMack, visit clubatmarimack.com.

These agents can assist you in the following Porter Communities:

▪  Clear Creek Ridge – Katee Porter, Woodward Realty 816-225-3535.

▪  Jamestowne Village – Jocelyn Rivard, Keller Williams 816-237-9777 and Chip Glennon, Keller Williams 816-826-6232.

▪  MariMack Villas – Brad Brown, ReMax Advantage 816-686-4881

This story was originally published March 13, 2015 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Kearney communities offer $2,500 paid closing cost, free club membership."