Two Tom French communities will have Fall Parade entries

This fall is an excellent time to visit Tom French Homes’ maintenance-provided communities in Johnson County. With the Artisan Home Tour drawing to a close this weekend and the Fall Parade of Homes starting Oct. 3, it is anticipated homebuyers will not only be touring homes in these communities, but also buying them.

In the past couple of years, the available homes in Tom French communities have quickly sold, 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.

Although Tom French Homes doesn’t have a featured home on the Artisan Home Tour that ends Sunday, the luxury homes in Tuscany Piazza Townhomes will be open to tour at no charge from 12 to 5 p.m. today and Sunday. It is also an opportunity to view this community’s entry on the Fall Parade of Homes, which runs Oct. 3 through 18. Both events are presented by the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City.

This boutique community at 137th Street and Mission Road offers only six reverse 1 1/2-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 East Terrace Unit at 3114 W. 137th St. 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 and main living areas of the home. 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 Saturdays and Sundays.

Gatewood Villas in Olathe, the newest of French’s communities, also will have an entry on the Fall Parade of Homes. This is an enclave of only 21 home sites in the burgeoning College Boulevard corridor just east of Kansas 7 on Montclaire Drive, offering secluded walkout home sites with wooded views.

Construction of three luxurious maintenance-provided reverse 1 1/2-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 currently at trim stage and will be completed later this year. This Woodside floor plan offers four bedrooms and three bathrooms, as well as a three-car garage and is priced at $485,800.

An inventory home at 11127 S. Montclaire Drive, The Rockwood, also offering four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a three-car garage, is priced at $485,590. This home has drywall and is ready for trim. The foundation is in and framing has started for the Pinewood plan at 11139 S. Montclaire Drive that is expected to be priced at $498,735.

Additionally, Tom French Homes is starting construction of a build job that just went to contract and another home site is reserved. 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.

Cottages of Cross Point Creek in Lenexa also offers stand-alone villas. The Cottages are part of Lenexa City Center which is thriving with new restaurants, businesses, hotels and luxury apartments in a mixed-use, new urbanism concept. The community 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 with 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 has sold, but another Richland ranch plan with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a rear-entry garage, is available for $378,450. It offers a charming front elevation and a covered rear deck that makes the exterior as enticing as the well-appointed interior.

Two Chestnut plans are under construction with completion expected by the end of year. The Chestnut is a reverse 1 1/2-story plan with the master suite and an additional bedroom and bath on the main level and a finished lower level. Homes are available to view by appointment.

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 September 18, 2015 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Two Tom French communities will have Fall Parade entries."