Buyers attracted to multiple award-winning Cottonwood Canyon

When it comes to winning awards, the residential community of Cottonwood Canyon is no stranger.

Industry honors at Cottonwood Canyon include two Gold Awards for “Best New Community,” a Silver Award for Starr Homes from Kansas City Homes & Gardens magazine for ”Best Empty Nest” in 2011, and B.L. Rieke Custom Homes for “Best Model Home $750,000 to $1 million,” also in 2011. Additionally, only a few years ago the neighboring Golf Club of Kansas was ranked among Golfweek magazine’s “Best New Courses.”

Together, these accolades have attracted a great deal of buzz among prospective buyers who are taking notice of what residents here already know: Cottonwood Canyon is among the best places to live in Johnson County.

The awards are just the beginning of the lifestyle experience here.

Located just one mile west of Interstate 435 on 95th Street/Prairie Star Parkway in Lenexa, Cottonwood Canyon offers a unique, captivating and secluded setting that feels far from the big city.

“I love selling homes, but brick and mortar is just a part of what makes a home,” said Angie Ripley, lead Realtor at Cottonwood Canyon. “Your home should offer a serene setting for relaxing and entertaining, an escape from the everyday ‘rat race’ and a subtle reminder to stop, slow down and relax. Imagine a beautiful exterior living space overlooking scenic views of rock ledges, green fairways and bodies of water. Add friends and family, and this is a home.”

When asked why she does what she does, Ripley replied, “That is what I love to sell most. Your home can, and should be, your everyday escape. What is your haven away from the ‘outside world’? Where do you let down and pull the ones that matter the most closer to you? That is what home should be.”

For golfers, The Golf Club of Kansas is a delightful surprise with 140 feet of elevation change and sweeping long-range views. Although the course can be a competitive test for low handicappers, holes here have enough negotiable escape routes to allow even the most casual golfer a magical round.

Whether one enjoys golf or not, the ambiance and tranquility derived from living in or near a golf course community plays an integral role in choosing where to live.

The team at Cottonwood Canyon is proud to announce that Ripley was named the 2013 Kansas City Realtor Salesperson of the Year. The award, presented annually by the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors, recognizes individuals for their professional accomplishments, including sales volume, commitment to ethical real estate practices, community service and involvement in local, state and national Realtor associations.

“Currently, there are just under 7,000 licensed Realtors in the greater Kansas City area,” developer Steve Hughes said, “so it is quite an honor to have the association choose Angie in recognition of her exemplary industry involvement, conduct, business experience and civic activity.”

The Cottonwood Canyon community encompasses two residential neighborhoods: The Lake and The Village.

Prospective buyers can find homes in The Lake ranging from $600,000 to over $1 million and homes in The Village from $400,000 and up.

Each offers distinctive design plans from some of the Kansas City area’s premier builders, including Starr Homes, Don Julian Builders, Reed Fuller Construction, B.L. Rieke Custom Homes and Befort Construction.

So far in 2014, Cottonwood Canyon has already seen many lots placed under contract with two new spec homes under construction — one from B.L. Rieke Custom Homes and one from Befort Construction, both in the Village. Also, Starr Homes is building an upscale model home in the Lake neighborhood that features a dramatic walkout basement with views out over the lake.

For information regarding Cottonwood Canyon, visit CottonwoodCanyon.info or contact Angie Ripley or Nita Criswell at 913-492-4444 or at cottonwoodcanyonks@gmail.com

This story was originally published July 25, 2014 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Buyers attracted to multiple award-winning Cottonwood Canyon."