Winterset’s 24-year legacy continues

Winterset Valley, one of the five executive neighborhoods of Global-ReLeaf award-winning Winterset, continued the community’s 24-year legacy by opening Phase 30 of the 1,200-acre master-planned community last fall.

Ten home sites are already under contract and four new models will be available for the Spring Parade of Homes. Executive homes are planned in the $350,000 to $600,000 price range.

Phase 28 The Reserve, with vistas overlooking Winterset’s private forest and park, the Hundred Acre Wood, and homes in the $450,000 to $1 million range, is almost sold out with five estate-sized lots remaining.

Last fall Kansas City Homes & Gardens magazine selected Winterset Valley to host the prestigious Boulevard of Dreams Homes Tour with three $800,000-plus executive homes, all on sites backing to the Hundred Acre Wood along the Cedar Creek Valley. Award-winning builders SAB Construction, Starr Homes and MacDermott Homes showcased the latest in decor and design.

Half of the 5,300 people who toured during the Boulevard of Dreams and the Fall Parade of Homes came from Johnson County, many discovering Winterset for the first time. All visitors were impressed that such an established and upscale new-home community with all the expected amenities exists within 15 minutes of the Plaza and Overland Park on the west side of Lee’s Summit.

“We have a great selection of model homes and a good range of beautiful home sites,” said Susie Zammar, one of the three Gale Team on-site Realtors. “Award-winning builders James Engle Custom Homes, C & M Builders, SAB Construction, Starr Homes and Signature Builders are all busy trying to replace specs that sold during the summer.”

Home styles, including ranch, reverse, 11/2-story and two-story designs, with prices ranging from $350,000 to more than $1 million, are available. Model homes by SAB, C & M Builders, Signature Builders and James Engle Custom Homes have been added to the selection.

The on-site Realtors credit the considerate and experienced environmental planning of developer David Gale for this success. The original 1989 development goal when Gale Communities opened the community was to respect the geology and natural, forested beauty of the land. Individual neighborhoods were oriented to preserve the native forest, natural creeks and streams with parks, trails, three swimming pools and lakes spread throughout the 1,200 acres, creating an aesthetically pleasing community and a place that residents would be proud to call home.

“All of the treed, estate lots in the Reserve have incredible, private over-look views of the Hundred Acre Wood and those views will last forever,” said resident and Winterset Realtor Linda Lutz, who markets the community with Leslie Marshall and Zammar. They are members of the highly respected Gale Team, part of Keller Williams Platinum Partners, trained and licensed to sell and buy homes on both sides of the state line.

The environmental design “Planning with Trees” resulted in Winterset being the only community in the four-state region to be awarded the national Global ReLeaf designation. With its thousands of tree plantings and hundreds of acres of parkland, two fishing lakes, butterfly gardens and pocket parks galore, Winterset Valley homeowners are never far from nature.

The Hundred Acre Wood, one of Winterset’s private parks, includes some of the over five miles of walking trails. When you add to that an abundance of amenities, including three distinct swimming pools, lighted tennis courts, playscapes and a beautiful community center, you can’t find a more perfect place to call home, the marketing team said.

Winterset Valley is in the nationally respected Lee’s Summit R-7 School District and children attend neighboring Cedar Creek Elementary; Summit Lake Middle School; and Lee’s Summit West High School. The high school was recently awarded a Silver Designation by U.S. News & World Reports and Blue Ribbon status as one of the 10 best high schools in Missouri. With its well-rounded activities, including championship robotics, sports, broadcasting, music and theater programs, and nationally renowned academic performance, Lee’s Summit West is a top choice for many parents.

Conveniently located on the west side of Lee’s Summit with quick access to Interstate 470, Winterset is 15 minutes east of Overland Park and the Plaza. Less than a half-mile to the west is the 5,000-acre Longview Park with recreational activities including baseball, picnicking, boating, fishing, hiking and a large beach for swimming. Also nearby are Longview College and the Fred Arbanas Golf Course.

Gale continues to build the community with aesthetics in mind, attention to detail, commitment to preserving the natural setting and strong, yet gentle governance, with the Winterset Community Association.

“We’re fortunate to have dedicated, caring community staff, which along with the pride of the residents, keeps all of the Winterset neighborhoods looking beautiful,” Gale said. “Those who have been considering a move to Winterset shouldn’t hesitate, given the current sales activity.”

“We are an experienced, full-service real estate team and can help with every step of the buying and selling process, from getting your current home ready to sell, marketing it and helping you find or build the home of your dreams,” Zammar said. “The Keller Williams Gale Team had an increase of 40 percent in our regional resale business last year.”

This story was originally published January 2, 2015 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Winterset’s 24-year legacy continues."