Available Tom French homes expected to sell quickly

If the trends of the past couple of years continue, the available homes in Tom French Homes’ maintenance-provided communities will sell quickly, most before completion. In fact, the majority of this experienced builder and developer’s communities sold out last year, so he has opened new ones in 2015.

Tom French, who has 36 years of home-building experience, was a pioneer in developing maintenance-provided communities in Johnson County, a history that equates to a wealth of knowledge in providing what people want when moving to a carefree lifestyle.

The newest example of French’s expertise is the recently opened Gatewood Villas in Olathe, an enclave of only 21 home sites where building has just begun. Gatewood is in the burgeoning College Boulevard corridor just east of Kansas 7 on Montclaire Drive, yet it offers secluded walkout home sites with wooded views.

Construction of three luxurious maintenance-provided reverse 11/2-story villas are underway and prices will start in the $470,000s. Home sites are priced from $95,000 to $129,000.

The model home, at 11113 S. Montclaire Drive, is at drywall stage and is expected to be completed in December. This Woodside floor plan offers four bedrooms and three bathrooms, as well as a three-car garage and is priced at $479,950.

An inventory home at 11127 S. Montclaire Drive, The Rockwood, also offering four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a three-car garage, is priced at $479,895. This home is under roof and ready for insulation.

The foundation is in and framing will soon start for the Pinewood plan at 11139 S. Montclaire Drive that is expected to be priced at $493,425.

Additionally, Tom French Homes is starting construction on a build-job that just went to contract. Interest in this new community is already very high.

All of the homes offer open designs on the main level and the luxurious touches that buyers have come to expect from Tom French Homes: arched openings, custom trim details, expansive wood floors, a dramatic fireplace design and a rich color palette that set the tone for casual elegance in villa living.

Another new project for Tom French Homes is Tuscany Piazza Townhomes at 137th Street, east of Mission Road in Leawood. This boutique community offers only six reverse 11/2-story homes featuring the same high-end customization, architectural detail and quality that has earned French numerous awards as well as multigenerational clients.

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 3,077 to 3,511 square feet of living space.

The first to be completed is the East Terrace Unit at 3114 W. 137th St. It has what marketing agent Susan Hoskinson with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Kansas City Homes described as beautiful views of the lake from the covered front porch. The other units, the Courtyard at 3112 W. 137th St., and the North Terrace at 3116 W. 137th St., are also ready to view. The Courtyard Unit has 3,511 square feet and is priced at $770,980 and the North Terrace Unit has 3,077 square feet and is priced at $768,980. These homes are open Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m.

Homebuyers who want a maintenance-provided stand-alone villa should consider the Cottages of Cross Point Creek in Lenexa, part of the Lenexa City Center which is thriving with new restaurants, businesses, hotels and luxury apartments in a mixed-use, new urbanism concept. It is conveniently situated at 87th Street Parkway and Interstate 435, providing easy access to all of Kansas City.

The Cottages of Cross Point Creek feature Craftsman exteriors that are reminiscent of cottages found in old Leawood. The low-maintenance exteriors boast Hardie Board siding and vinyl windows, as well as 30-year roofs. Covered porches and decks allow for outdoor entertaining or just relaxing.

Interiors are designed for one-level living with open floor plans featuring the latest in decor with hardwood floors and island kitchens that include designer cabinets, granite counters and custom tile back splashes.

The model home, the Richland ranch plan with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a rear-entry garage, is available for $376,435. It offers a charming front elevation and a covered rear deck that makes the exterior as enticing as the well-appointed interior. Another Richland plan and two Chestnut plans are under construction with completion expected by the end of year. The Chestnut is a reverse 11/2-story plan with the master suite and an additional bedroom and bath on the main level.

Only one home remains in Tom French’s popular Villas of Highlands Ranch, a small enclave of luxury villas at 137th Terrace just east of Mission Road. This Brookwood, which offers three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a three-car garage, will be completed by the end of December and is priced at $593,000.

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

Provided maintenance in all of these communities 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, with the attached townhomes having expanded maintenance.

For information about these homes and communities call Susan Hoskinson with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Kansas City Homes at 913-484-2839 or visit TomFrenchHomes.com or NewHomesKC.net.

This story was originally published August 21, 2015 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Available Tom French homes expected to sell quickly."