New homes are limited in Tom French Homes’ communities

New homes are under construction in all of Tom French Homes’ five maintenance-provided communities in Johnson County and several of these communities are almost sold out.

In the Cottages of Cross Point Creek, a boutique neighborhood of Craftsman-style villa homes near 87th Street and Renner Road in Lenexa, there are two new floor plans, a reverse 11/2-story and a ranch, with prices starting in the $350,000s. The Chestnut reverse 11/2-story and the Richland ranch are completed and will be open 12 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Susan Hoskinson, who markets Tom French communities for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Kansas City Homes, is excited about the ranch plan with three bedrooms. It is the first ranch to be built in the Cottages of Cross Point Creek and is being offered because of the recent demand for such homes.

This community is part of Lenexa City Center, an up-and-coming New Urbanism lifestyle in an area that is starting to explode, Hoskinson said. This mixed-used neighborhood combines walkability, density, sustainability and community. When complete, it will include luxury apartments, townhomes, villas, office buildings, restaurants, hotels and services.

Also sparking buyers’ interest in the Cottages of Cross Point Creek is its proximity to the new Cerner Corporation offices at The Legends, a short drive north on Interstate 435. It is also within minutes of another popular destination, Shawnee Mission Park.

Tom French’s newest community, the Villas of Highlands Ranch at 137th Terrace just east of Mission Road, really has taken off, with several custom-built homes underway and two of the three speculative homes under contract, Hoskinson noted. Plus, four lots are reserved, leaving only four home sites available.

The community has newly designed home plans, which Hoskinson said will appeal to buyers who have been disappointed because French’s community of Linden Place has sold out.

The inventory home currently under construction offers a walkout lower level and has generated a lot of interest. The Highlands Ranch homes are similar to those popular in Linden Place, but with three-car garages and an Old World elevation that blends with the styles in Highlands Ranch.

Tucked away in a private Leawood setting, the community offers affordable lot selections for the luxury maintenance-provided villa buyer.

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 are priced from the $500,000s to $800,000. The Villas of Highlands Ranch is available for viewing by appointment only.

Several homes are under construction with staggered completion dates in the Village of Holly Ridge. This neighborhood at 158th Street and Lowell Avenue offers distinctive craftsman-style townhomes with prices starting in the $260,000s for the Lexington and Madison plans.

Eight are under construction and one is ready for immediate occupancy. Buyers shouldn’t hesitate if they want to move to Holly Ridge, however, because the homes have been selling quickly and these properties are the last of new construction in Holly Ridge. Buyers can view the homes 12 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday or by appointment.

Foxfield Court at 116th Street and Lone Elm Road in Olathe has five twin villas under construction with completion expected in September and October. Prices start from the mid $280,000s. Construction of these homes complete this community. Buyers need to act quickly if they want a new Tom French home in Foxfield Court. The Alderwood plan can be viewed by appointment only.

Homes also have been selling quickly in Quail Park Villas at 141st Street and Pflumm Road in Olathe, where prices start in the $340,000s for stand-alone villas. One spec home, the Chestnut, will be available for occupancy in September and the Bedford I is under construction and will be completed in November.

Buyers have been drawn to Quail Park Villas because of its convenient location. Only one home site remains, offering a rare opportunity to own a new stand-alone villa in this price range and convenient location.

Hoskinson said interested buyers may contact her at 913-484-2839 to view any of the homes under construction.

“All of the homes are far enough along that I can schedule appointments to show them,” she said.

The highly competitive real estate market in Johnson County has created the strong demand for Tom French Homes’ maintenance-provided communities. Because people have been able to quickly sell their existing home, they have been in the market for new homes and Tom French is one of the few builders offering maintenance-provided communities in Johnson County.

What this means for buyers is that they shouldn’t hesitate. “We’ve had buyers miss out on the home they wanted because they decided to think about it overnight,” Hoskinson said. “Before they made an offer, someone else snapped it up.”

French, a leader in developing and building maintenance-provided communities, has earned a stellar reputation for quality during his 36-year career and he won’t sacrifice that quality while making every effort to meet the current demand.

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 May 29, 2014 at 11:08 AM with the headline "New homes are limited in Tom French Homes’ communities."