Four unique Tom French communities; four Spring Parade of Homes entries

As one of the Kansas City area’s most respected homebuilders, Tom French has been designing and building superior custom homes and maintenance-provided communities since 1978.

Many of his homes have won prestigious awards during the annual Spring and Fall Parade of Homes, and many of the homes he has built are for repeat clients. The 2016 Spring Parade of Homes runs April 23 through May 8. Prospective buyers will find a wealth of options to suit their particular needs, desires and lifestyles.

Offering a “New Urbanism” lifestyle is the Cottages of Cross Point Creek. Located in Lenexa, as part of the mixed-use Lenexa City Center, the community will encompass 30 craftsman inspired homes. Currently, there is one villa home available. This home is the revised Chestnut plan, a reverse 1 ½-story, three-bedroom, three-bathroom home with two of the bedrooms on the main level. The property at 8543 Barstow is Parade Entry #210 and is priced at $388,930. The remaining seven home sites have been carefully reconfigured to include two walkout lots.

In recent months, the activity in Cross Point Creek has increased and another home is under construction. Options for custom building are available, but hurry to take advantage of this great community and its convenient location.

Situated at College and Montclaire Drive in Olathe, Gatewood Villas is a secluded, 21-homesite neighborhood where all of the stand-alone, maintenance-provided villas have walkout lower levels and back up to wooded greenspace. This community has easy access to K-10 and K-7 highways, allowing homeowners to quickly get anywhere in the Kansas City area, Lawrence and Topeka. Currently, two spec homes — The Rockwood and The Pinewood — are available for these unique, reverse 1 ½-story residences. These properties boast four bedrooms, three bathrooms, three-car garages, and 2,600 to 3,000 square feet of exceptionally finished living space. A third spec home, The Linwood, will be available in June. Prospective buyers can tour Parade Entry #224 - The Woodside – at 11113 S. Montclaire Drive. Prices range from $450,000 to $650,000.

“Gatewood Villas is an opportunity to ‘right size’ your next home purchase, with all the new energy efficient products being used today in newly constructed homes. Come out and take a look at the fresh new designs and décor available,” stated Susan Hoskinson with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Kansas City Homes.

For those desiring a luxury upscale villa, there is Tuscany Piazza Townhomes, located on 137th Street, east of Mission Road in Leawood. This boutique community of only six reverse 1 ½-story homes features high end customizations, architectural detail, and the quality that has earned French numerous awards.

Buyers will also encounter the picturesque Old World Tuscan flavor and flair with the beautiful entrance fountain, paver streets, stucco and stone exteriors, carriage doors and barrel tile roofs.

These homes provide a true lock-and-leave, maintenance-provided lifestyle. The monthly HOA dues cover the roof, gutters, exterior paint, all landscaping, all lawn maintenance including the sprinkler system, driveway upkeep and repair, snow and trash removal and building insurance. Currently, three homes are available and are priced from the $690,000s. Two of the homes have convenient three-car garages and two of the homes have exceptional water views. Please tour Parade Entry #319 at 3114 W. 137th St., Leawood.

One of Tom French’s newest and highly anticipated projects is the twin villa community, Covington Court. Located at 115th Street and Lone Elm Road in Olathe, the community features their successful and improved Alderwood plan, a beautiful reverse 1 ½-story design with three bedrooms, 2 ½ bathrooms and a two-car garage. A new plan, The Ensley, offers a similar open design but has two bedrooms on the main level. At this time, eight properties are under construction. These homes should be available in July and will be priced from the $350s. Contact the community agent for tour times at Parade Entry #209, located at 11588 S. Waterford Drive, Olathe.

For information and the open house schedule, 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 March 25, 2016 at 7:04 PM with the headline "Four unique Tom French communities; four Spring Parade of Homes entries."