See River Ridge’s peaceful setting during Parade

Visitors to the Fall Parade of Homes who are seeking a different kind of community, one that has a serene ambiance without sacrificing city convenience, need to visit the Communities of River Ridge. The Parade continues through Oct. 12.

River Ridge is a group of neighborhoods on rolling terrain overlooking the Blue River Valley in south Overland Park at 162nd Terrace and Kenneth Road. Because of its elevation, homes offer expansive views.

Lettiann Southerland, who markets River Ridge for Weichert, Realtors Graham-Welch LLC, said each season offers a different perspective as the trees change from spring buds to fully leafed out in the summer, then blaze with color in the fall and offer interesting sculptures against the gray winter sky.

“If homebuyers haven’t visited River Ridge for a few years or even a few months, it’s time to come back for another look,” Southerland said. “This isn’t the typical Johnson County subdivision on flat prairie land. This is an entirely different animal.

“Many people who visit are surprised how close River Ridge is to everything you need: highways, shopping, restaurants. But it feels like it’s miles from the city. It’s peaceful here.”

River Ridge includes several neighborhoods, but only three still have home sites available. The Enclave of Sunset Hills opened a year ago with more than 40 estate-size home sites along cul-de-sac streets or backing to green space and homes starting at $500,000. Only six home sites are available in High Point, where homes begin in the high $300,000s and fewer than a dozen remain in Sunset Hills, where homes start in the $450,000s.

Premium home sites are still available for those who want to become a part of the Enclave of Sunset Hills, a custom-built community. Many of the sites back to woods that overlook the new Aubrey Vineyard and others are large enough to accommodate in-ground pools. An ample number of walkout and daylight home sites also remain, but Southerland doesn’t anticipate they will last long. Buyer traffic continues to be brisk as the clock ticks down to the end in this sprawling southeastern Johnson County community.

Three completed homes are available in the Enclave of Sunset Hills.

One is a 11/2-story Danali Chalet by Tabernacle Homes, now under construction on a home site overlooking the valley. Southerland highly praised the design which was adapted to fit the home site and elevation with abundant views.

“It has expansive floor-to-ceiling windows in the two-story great room to take advantage of the view,” she said. “A second-story loft also is oriented toward the windows.”

This home offers four bedrooms and 41/2 bathrooms in 3,400 square feet of finished living space. The buyer will have the option to finish the lower level to add another 1,300 square feet. The home is expected to be priced in the $600,000s.

Another is a two-story plan, The Johanna, built by Tabernacle Homes. This custom design offers four bedrooms, four full bathrooms and two half-bathrooms with an optional fifth bedroom in the lower level.

A 11/2-story plan, The Vista built by Wheeler Design, has four bedrooms and 31/2 bathrooms. Wheeler Design also built the Bayview, a reverse 11/2-story plan with three bedrooms and three full and two half bathrooms.

Comerio Corporation is building a reverse 11/2-story plan in the High Point neighborhood with 2,700 square feet of living space and priced in the low $400,000s. Comerio is starting construction of a two-story plan, also with 2,700 square feet of space.

The Enclave of Sunset Hills continues River Ridge’s tradition of being a community of custom-built homes. The award-winning builder team includes Bracklow Custom Homes, Bickimer Construction, Taylored Homes, Tabernacle Homes, Wheeler Design, James Engle Custom Homes, Krueger Homes and Comerio Corporation. Several have custom-built homes underway.

The Enclave of Sunset Hills is open to any builder who works in the Kansas City area with developer approval of home designs. The neighborhood is situated on one of the highest points in Overland Park, providing sweeping views over the Blue River Valley and numerous vantage points to observe the changing seasons.

Amenities at the Communities of River Ridge include a pool, tennis courts, volleyball courts, fishing ponds and playground. Students attend schools in the Blue Valley School District. River Ridge has some of the last available home sites in the attendance area of the original Blue River Elementary and Blue Valley High schools.

Residents have quick access to Interstate 435, U.S. 69 and Missouri 150. They are within minutes of an abundance of shopping and dining venues at 135th Street and State Line Road and along 151st Street.

For information, contact Lettiann Southerland at 816-898-5477.

This story was originally published October 3, 2014 at 7:00 PM with the headline "See River Ridge’s peaceful setting during Parade."