Kearney communities offer $2,000 paid closing costs, 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.

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 this price, such as custom cabinets with tile backsplash, hardwood floors, walk-in closets and covered decks with stairs,” Porter said. “Some also feature tile showers and large tubs in the master bath.”

Currently, there are six homes under construction with completion scheduled for April and May. Financing is available with rates under 4 percent. For any home closed prior to July 1, Porter Communities will pay $2,000 in closing costs. In addition, 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.

Villas of MariMack

The Villas of MariMack offer 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 very 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, wheelchair accessible 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.

The Estates of MariMack

With lots that back to the Club at MariMack golf course, the Estates of MariMack features traditional single-family lots in a tranquil golf community setting.

“If you purchase a house on the lots that back to the golf course you will have nothing behind you but a golf course and a creek,” Porter said. “The majority of these lots will accommodate walkout basements and have views of multiple golf holes. It is a beautiful setting.”

Lots in the Estate section are nearing completion and lot reservations are currently being taken.

“We expect the lots to go fast,” said Porter.

Construction on new homes in the Estates of MariMack is scheduled to begin in June of this year. Home prices are anticipated to be mid $200,000s to low $300,000s. Residents of the Estates of MariMack are also eligible for a free Gold Membership to the Club at MariMack.

For directions to these communities or to get more information, contact one of the agents listed in the accompanying box or go to www.portercommunities.com. For additional information on the Club at MariMack, go to www.clubatmarimack.com.

This story was originally published May 2, 2015 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Kearney communities offer $2,000 paid closing costs, free club membership."