No snow maintenance a joy in these developments

Sometimes, a winter wonderland isn’t so, well, wonderful. Snow can be pretty … until it’s piled up on your driveway and sidewalk. And the delicate ice that shimmers so beautifully on the trees is a serious danger underfoot.

But homeowners at three Rodrock Developments aren’t letting a turn in the weather worry them in the least. That’s because the Cottages at Woodridge in Overland Park, Stonebridge Village and two areas of Grayson Place, both in Olathe, all offer maintenance-provided living. So regardless of the forecast, these homeowners can enjoy snowy views with none of the headaches.

Because the removal of all that ice and snow? It can be downright hazardous. A study conducted by the Center for Injury Research and Policy found an average of 11,500 snow shoveling-related injuries and emergencies were treated in U.S. emergency rooms every single year from 1990 to 2006. The maladies ranged from the annoying — soft tissue injuries and lacerations — to the frightening, including fractures and cardiac arrest.

But homeowners at these highly sought-after communities enjoy freedom from such hazards, all while residing in some of the finest built homes on the market today.

“Living in the maintenance-provided Cottages at Woodridge has let me live worry free and able to travel in the summer months,” said Judi Ignotz. “Safety is also extremely important and having the driveways and streets cleared when it snows helps me navigate the winter months without fear of falling — a major concern to us active-agers.”

This maintenance-provided village, situated just north of the thriving 135th and Metcalf corner, is filled with European-style cottages. The ranch-style homes range in size from 1,560 to more than 2,200 square feet, with elegant arched entryways and windows, cathedral ceilings and two-car garages. Eleven new homes are under construction, with a move-in date of late spring, and two specs are move-in ready in 30 to 45 days.

Winter maintenance includes snow removal and winterization of sprinklers, which are included in the HOAs, as well as landscaping care, lawn care, exterior maintenance (painting/repairs), roof repair/replacement and trash/recycling.

Nestled in the larger Stonebridge community, Stonebridge Village likewise offers all the comforts of maintenance-provided living. And this was a deciding factor for Robin Lundstrum in her search for a home. Having owned homes in the past, she knew how labor-intensive they could be. And with running a business, there were simply not enough hours in the day to hassle with homeownership. That is, until Lundstrum discovered Stonebridge Village.

“I love my Carriage Home!” she said. “As winter approaches, it’s comforting to know that snow and ice won’t bother me — my driveway will be cleared, just as it was last year.”

Available in both reverse 1 1/2-story and classic 1 1/2-story plans, the Carriage Homes boast vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors and granite counter tops. And for a low monthly fee, all maintenance is seen to, including sprinkler systems, lawn mowing, edging, fertilization, snow removal on streets, driveways and rear sidewalks.

And in an exciting turn, Grayson Place, found at 119th and Lone Elm Road, offers both villas and townhomes, so there’s a style to meet everyone’s personal tastes — all without the need to break out snow shovels.

“Our homeowners enjoy the freedom of maintenance-free living for a low monthly fee and then bring their friends to show off the lifestyle Grayson Place has to offer,” said Roberta Kranz, a Rodrock Development marketing agent. “In today’s busy world, even the younger generation has become driven to this type of freedom. To enjoy the beautiful appointments in a home we all want and yards or green space without having to maintain it is truly a luxury!”

Available in all-brick, single-family homes — with soaring 12-foot first-floor ceilings — built by Gabriel Homes and Chris George Homes, or fantastic reverse ranch villas by Darol Rodrock Homes, all these homes offer a wonderful, open concept.

And as the year draws to an end, there’s quite a bit of celebrating in Grayson Place. The Richmond model home by Gabriel Homes at 12061 S. Valley Road was the Pick of the Parade Grand Award winner for maintenance-provided homes in the mid $300,000s. And just until the end of the year, Darol Rodrock Homes is offering a $5,000 decorator/upgrade allowance on its current spec inventory.

The styles of homes and communities may vary, but the benefit of living a maintenance-free lifestyle in a top-notch Rodrock Development remains the same: Namely, staying warm (and safe) inside, while someone else tends to the headaches of snow, ice, and more.

This story was originally published December 19, 2015 at 6:00 PM with the headline "No snow maintenance a joy in these developments."