Saddle Ridge offers luxury living in quiet corner of Independence
Saddle Ridge is marketed exclusively by Keith F. McClain with McClain Brothers Real Estate, who believes it is a hidden gem. Whether buyers are looking for a custom-built estate home or want to downsize to a maintenance-provided villa, McClain can help them find the perfect home or home site.
A drive through the community reveals elegant homes on manicured home sites along winding streets that climb high above the valley. Bronze statues, columns and fountains decorate landscaped street islands and ponds with fountains dot the walking trails. The neighborhood has some of the most breath-taking views in eastern Jackson County.
Homes are priced from $450,000 to more than $2 million and villas range in price from $320,000s to $650,000. All homes are required to have four-sided architecture with stone, brick or masonry exteriors as well as 50-year roofs of wood, slate or tile. They sit on sites of at least a half-acre and some are more than an acre. This community in a quiet corner of Independence features upscale custom homes and villas built by MarKirk Construction.
Michael Akins and his family could live anywhere, but they choose to live in Saddle Ridge and have no intention of living anywhere else. Akins compares Saddle Ridge to Hallbrook in Johnson County, but without the congestion and traffic woes. It sits on more than 180 acres north of 39th Street and east of Pink Hill Road, overlooking Burr Oaks Nature Center.
“We’ve lived here for 11 years,” Akins said. “It’s like living in the country but we are two minutes from shopping, restaurants and movie theaters. A hospital is just down the street. We have an Independence address but Blue Springs schools. The taxes are lower than Johnson County and we don’t have the traffic.”
Akins enjoys the pastoral views from his hilltop home, as well as walking on the paved trails that lead past decorative ponds with fountains and elegant statues scattered throughout Saddle Ridge.
MarKirk Construction is beginning construction of two spec homes in Saddle Ridge. Buyers may select one of the 18 home sites currently available and bring their builder and plan, subject to developer approval. McClain said eventually Saddle Ridge will have three more phases.
The maintenance-provided Mediterranean-style villas feature stucco exteriors with tile roofs and offer two or more bedrooms, multiple bathrooms and three-car garages as well as decks with invisible screens. Many back to trees and parkland. Maintenance provided by the $150 monthly fee includes lawn care, sprinkler maintenance, snow removal, landscaping and trash service.
The villa model home at 20800 E. 37th Terrace Court South is now for sale, listed at $329,900. This ranch-style plan offers 1,860 square feet of space with three bedrooms, 21/2 bathrooms and a three-car garage. The island kitchen has alder cabinets, solid-surface counter tops and a pantry. The home is on a walkout site that backs to treed space bordering Jackson County parkland.
MarKirk Construction is building two new villa models that will be completed in about six months.
In addition to the walking trails throughout Saddle Ridge, residents enjoy use of the swimming pool and cabana. The community has easy access to Interstate 70 and is 5 minutes from Kauffman and Arrowhead stadiums, 20 minutes from downtown and 30 minutes from the Plaza.
McClain has years of real estate experience, specializing in selling high-end luxury homes and condos near the Plaza, downtown and all over the Kansas City area.
“It’s a great time for sellers,” McClain said of today’s real estate market. “Most of the homes I list are sold within 90 days. I bring a wealth of marketing experience and have an MBA with an emphasis on marketing. I have a marketing formula that works, using direct mail and the Internet. I not only have professional photos taken of every listing, but also video which shows the home to its best advantage.
Saddle Ridge is open from 1 to 5 p.m. daily. To make an appointment with McClain to tour Saddle Ridge or any of his other listings, call 816-686-5476. You may see his listings on his website at KeithFMcClain.com.
Saddle Ridge
Location: 20800 E. 37th Terrace Court South, Independence.
Directions: Interstate 70 to Litte Blue Parkway, north to 39th Street, east to Pink Hill Road and turn left, then turn left on Necessary Avenue and then left on 37th Terrace Court South.
Prices: Villas from $320,000s to $650,000; homes from $450,000 to $2 million-plus.
Hours: 1-5 p.m. daily.
Contact: Keith McClain with McClain Brothers Real Estate at 816-686-5476.
This story was originally published August 28, 2015 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Saddle Ridge offers luxury living in quiet corner of Independence."