Tom French homes selling before completion, one model on Parade

Those seeking the carefree lifestyle found in a maintenance-provided home need to check out the offerings of Tom French Homes. Tom French has 36 years of building experience and was a pioneer in building maintenance-provided communities in Johnson County.

French has homes available in three such communities, all with their own special ambiance. One is in Lenexa, just off Interstate 435 at 87th Street Parkway. The other two are in Leawood.

The Lenexa community, The Cottages of Cross Point Creek, is featuring its true ranch plan, The Richland, on the 2015 Spring Parade of Homes that continues through May 10. This home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a rear-entry garage. It is listed at $370,435, a competitive price for a new construction stand-alone villa.

This home offers a charming front elevation and a covered rear deck that makes the exterior as enticing as the well-appointed interior. The open living area has many custom details. The wainscoted entry flows into a great room with a high ceiling and stately, stained mantel accented with glass and granite mosaic tile.

The island kitchen is enhanced by designer cabinets, granite counter tops and a back splash that features warm-hued tile and glass-tile accents. All bathrooms and the laundry have tile floors.

Construction will soon begin on another Richland plan and the Chestnut, a reverse 11/2-story plan with three bedrooms and three bathrooms.

Susan Hoskinson, who markets Tom French communities for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Kansas City Homes, said activity has been heavy in Cross Point Creek with four homes sold recently and one home site reserved.

Maintenance provided by the homeowners association includes lawn mowing, fertilization and weed control; lawn sprinkler system; snow removal including driveways, front sidewalks and porches; maintenance of the common areas and trash collection.

Cross Point Creek is part of the new urbanism concept of Lenexa City Center which is starting to see exciting activity with completed office buildings, and a hotel and Lenexa Conference Center under construction, Hoskinson said. Additionally, City Center East houses Grand Street Cafe and the French Bee Bakery, and City Center has Saints Pub.

One of French’s communities in Leawood is The Villas of Highlands Ranch, a small enclave of luxury villas at 137th Terrace just east of Mission Road, but it is quickly selling out. In fact, Hoskinson said, homes here have been selling before they are completed.

The last four homes are under construction with varying completion dates. A Laurelwood plan, a reverse 11/2-story with three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a three-car garage, will be completed in June. It is priced at $672,680.

The Brookwood plan with three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a three-car garage will soon be under construction and should be available in November. The home will be priced at $589,500. This plan can be viewed by appointment through June 10.

A Brookwood II reverse 11/2-story plan with three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a two-car garage will be completed in August. It is priced at $559,980.

A Woodberry III reverse 11/2-story plan with three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a three-car garage will be completed in September and will be priced at $618,480.

Highlands Ranch is adjacent to the prestigious communities of Tuscany Reserve, Siena and Highlands Ranch.

The first home in the other Leawood community, Tuscany Piazza Townhomes, is nearing completion. This boutique community off of 137th Street just east of Mission Road has only two tri-plexes, a total of six reverse 11/2-story homes, which will be priced in the upper $700,000s.

Hoskinson said buyers may make an appointment to tour the Terrace plan, which will be completed in June and overlooks the lake. It is priced at $779,980.

Situated in two spacious tri-plex buildings, the Tuscany Piazza properties feature two bedrooms and two bathrooms on the main level plus one bedroom, one bathroom and a recreation room on the lower level, with room to expand. Most of the homes offer three-car garages and encompass 3,000 to 3,500 square feet of living space.

Outside, prospective buyers will encounter a charming Old World Tuscan flavor and flair with a beautiful entrance fountain, paver streets and a picturesque pond that enhance the stunning stone and stucco exteriors, concrete Tejas Espana barrel tile roofs and carriage doors that are found on each home.

Entering the home, from the foyer through the front hall, great room, dining room and kitchen, gleaming hardwood floors beckon. Each home features a gracious foyer with a switchback staircase and either a large divided light mirror or window to flood the stairway with reflected light.

“This is a high-end lock-and-leave enclave, with an expanded maintenance package,” Hoskinson said.

This story was originally published May 1, 2015 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Tom French homes selling before completion, one model on Parade."