Communities nearly sold out, new locations planned

Because only a few homes and home sites remain available in the maintenance-provided communities where Tom French Homes currently builds, this long-time builder is making plans to begin construction in new Johnson County communities early in 2015.

For more than 36 years Tom French has provided quality homes throughout Johnson County. As a leader in maintenance-provided communities, he is offering twin villas, townhomes and stand-alone villas in a variety of price ranges for those who want to enjoy their free time pursuing activities other than mowing the lawn and shoveling snow.

The continued popularity of French’s communities has left only a handful of available homes.

Foxfield Court at 116th Street and Lone Elm Road in Olathe, is a twin-villa community that just recently sold out. Several homes under contract are still available to view and buyers are encouraged to do so in anticipation of French’s new community to the west that will open in 2015.

One new home remains in Quail Park Villas at 141st Street and Pflumm Road in Olathe. This Bedford I plan is under construction, will be completed in November and is priced at $354,950. This reverse 11/2-story home offers a rare opportunity to own a new stand-alone villa in this price range and convenient location.

The Village of Holly Ridge, a neighborhood of Craftsman-style townhomes at 158th Street and Lowell Avenue, also has only one home available. The end unit Lexington plan offers main-level living, a covered deck and expanded maintenance. The home is available for immediate occupancy and is listed for $271,555. This home will be open 12 to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through the Parade of Homes that continues until Oct. 12.

In the Cottages of Cross Point Creek, a boutique neighborhood of Craftsman-style villa homes near 87th Street and Renner Road in Lenexa, the Chestnut plan is priced at $364,025 and will be open 12 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Two other inventory homes are under construction and 13 home sites remain for a custom build. Susan Hoskinson, who markets Tom French communities for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Kansas City Homes, said that those who want to select their site should act soon.

The Villas of Highlands Ranch, a small enclave of luxury villas located at 137th Terrace just east of Mission Road, also is quickly selling out. Only four home sites remain and French has started inventory homes on two of them. Adjacent to the prestigious communities of Tuscany Reserve, Siena and Highlands Ranch, this small neighborhood is the perfect place to own a Tom French home. Homes will be priced from the $500,000s to $800,000.

Those who have missed the opportunity to purchase in these communities shouldn’t despair, however, Hoskinson said. French is planning to open similar communities in 2015.

A townhome community similar to Holly Ridge is expected to open next fall near 159th Street and Metcalf, a prime location near restaurants, shopping, grocery stores and services.

Building is expected to begin next spring at Covington Court, offering new twin-villa homes, just across the street from Foxfield Court in the Kansas 7 and College Boulevard corridor in Olathe.

And French will be opening the community of Gatewood next spring, also in the College Boulevard and Kansas 7 corridor.

“Here we will be offering 21 wooded, walkout home sites for stand-alone villas that are being designed just for this exclusive community,” Hoskinson said.

Pricing will be in the $400,000s.

Also, construction has started at Tuscany Piazza Townhomes in Leawood, off 137th Street just east of Mission Road. Only two tri-plexes, a total of six reverse 11/2-story homes, will be built in this popular location and will be priced in the $700,000s.

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

Amenity packages vary from community to community and may include a swimming pool, exercise facility and walking trail. Provided maintenance in all the communities includes lawn maintenance and snow removal, with expanded maintenance for the attached homes.

This story was originally published October 10, 2014 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Communities nearly sold out, new locations planned."