Affordable new homes in a quiet suburban setting

Homebuyers wanting to move away from the problems of failing schools, high property taxes and the fear of rising crime, might want to visit the communities of Lake Meadows and Harbor Lake in Smithville. Located in Clay County, Smithville was named the best affordable suburb in the Kansas City area by Business Week magazine. It also boasts good schools, low taxes and an almost non-existent crime rate.

Harbor Lake and Lake Meadows have new homes available to fit almost any budget. Homes in Lake Meadows range from the $160,000s to the $180,000s, while Harbor Lake Homes start in the $180,000s and go to the upper $200,000s.

Have a home to sell? The developer of both communities, Porter Communities, is offering a trade-in program on select new homes in Harbor Lake and Lake Meadows.

“The trade-in program allows buyers the luxury of having just one move and not having to worry about two house payments waiting for their house to sell,” said Craig Porter of Porter Communities.

The Charleston, located in Lake Meadows, is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home priced at $167,900.

Eligible buyers can qualify for a mortgage interest below 4 percent and Porter Communities will pay up to $2,500 closing costs on selected new homes in this northern Smithville neighborhood.

“Don’t think this is a stripped down model either,” said builder Joe Hendrix of H2 Development LLC. “The home is built with many energy-saving features including low-E glass windows for additional energy savings.”

Other features include custom cabinets, a fireplace and a large master bedroom with ¾ bath and a walk-in closet.

“When people see the quality of these homes they are pleasantly surprised,” said Hendrix. “They are even more surprised when we do the mortgage calculation and they see the payment, including taxes and insurance, is approximately $1,000 a month.”

Also available in Lake Meadows is the Jamestowne, which starts at $169,900. The Jamestowne II is a larger four-bedroom, three-bathroom home priced at $184,900. New homes in Lake Meadows and Harbor Lake qualify for all types of conventional financing in addition to FHA, VA and USDA loans.

Buyers looking for larger homes will want to visit Harbor Lake, which is less than a mile from Lake Meadows and sits adjacent to Smithville Lake.

“We have lots that back directly to the Smithville Lake Corps of Engineers property,” said Paul Garnett of Realty Executives, who markets the communities. “One thing you can count on with the lots that back to the lake property is never having any neighbors living behind you unless you want to count the deer, turkey and other wildlife.”

Harbor Lake includes amenities such as a pool, paved walking trails, a community lake and more than 20 acres of common open space.

“Most of the lots either back to the community lake, the common areas, or the lake property,” Garnett said. “It makes for some great home sites.”

Harbor Lake offers many types of floor plans to choose from, including a new 11/2-story being built by Tucker Construction. The Burton is a four-bedroom, three-bath home being built on a lot that backs to the treed common area. The home features hardwood floors, custom cabinets with granite counter tops, a covered deck and a three-car garage. It is priced at $259,900.

Other plans in Harbor Lake include the Chase, which is a four-bedroom, three-bath California split with a three-car garage. Priced at $254,900, it also backs to the community open space. The Hampton, priced at $264,900, is a two-story home with four bedrooms and 21/2 baths that backs to the Smithville Lake property.

For photographs, plans and locations of all the homes in Lake Meadows and Harbor Lake, visit the Porter Communities website at portercommunities.com.

This story was originally published March 21, 2015 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Affordable new homes in a quiet suburban setting."