Homes at Woodland Ridge feature top trends for 2015

Chris George, owner of Chris George Custom Homes, stays on top of trends and offers them in all the homes he is building at Woodland Ridge. Buyers can expect to find the latest high-end, energy-saving features and decor in this southern Johnson County community but without paying high-end prices.

To see these trends, visit the new four-bedroom, two-story Yorkshire model at 19332 W. 210th St. in Spring Hill. Walk in the front door to see a flowing, open plan that is perfect for family living or entertaining.

The focal point of the family room is a remote-start, glass-rock fireplace that emits a warm glow from the floor-to-ceiling stone surround. Glass-rock fireplaces are just one of the new trends. Another is the butler’s pantry, conveniently tucked into an alcove between the family room and kitchen, just across from the dining room, a “must” for gatherings large and small.

The all-white kitchen also is top trend for 2015, creating a light and bright space for cooking, family meals and casual gatherings. The granite-topped oversized island with pendant lighting has generous work and eating space while large windows overlooking the deck provide ample natural light.

Step from the kitchen into an enormous pantry that marketing agent Shelly Christ said is nearly the size of a small bedroom. George said the space is so large some clients add a built-in desk.

Another top trend isn’t so obvious — the Nest Learning Thermostat. This high-tech thermostat is programmable from a smartphone, tablet or computer and can be reset while at home or away. It “learns” your behavior, remembers when you usually change temperature settings and does it automatically without additional programming.

“This can save up to 15 percent on your energy bill,” said marketing agent Carolyn Collier.

Upstairs, buyers will find a master suite that includes a bath with a shower, tub and large walk-in closet that opens to the laundry, another popular trend. A second upstairs bathroom serves the other three bedrooms.

Being at the forefront of trends is just part of what makes a Chris George home special. Homes also include all of the features today’s homebuyers want most: three-car garages, granite counters, hardwood flooring, stone detailing, arched doorways, bullnose corners, custom cabinetry, premium faucets, dual shower heads, tiled bathrooms and wrought-iron spindles with wood end-caps.

Buyers usually expect to pay a premium for these features included in every home. However, homes in Woodland Ridge start in the mid-$200,000s and include a variety of popular styles — two-story, ranch, 11/2-story and reverse 11/2-story.

Chris George Homes also provides excellent customer care. This is what one client said about his experience:

“My wife and I love our new home,” said Bob Henderson, a Woodland Ridge resident for a year and controller of Berkshire Risk Services. “I extend my compliments both for the quality of the home’s workmanship and the entire purchasing process. Unquestionably, the purchase of our home was the most pleasant and easiest residential purchase we have made.”

An important component of Chris George Custom Homes’ customer service is its online management system that allows customers to sign change orders, track their selections, refer to their contract or blueprints, upload pictures and make warranty requests from any web browser.

The builder also makes it easy for customers to make decor selections, such as paint, carpet, tile and stone.

“Instead of having our customers run around town to make all of these selections separately, the vast majority of our selections are made at one location with the assistance of a designated interior designer,” George said.

Chris George Custom Homes is a true custom builder, offering in-house floor plan blueprint work. “This allows us to not only alter our floor plans to meet your needs exactly, but we can also build you a floor plan from scratch,” George said. “Many builders have to sub this aspect out to an architect.”

Chris George Custom Homes has a long-standing reputation of integrity and quality within the industry, built on more than 35 years of experience building more than 1,500 new homes in the Kansas City area. The company also has long-standing relationships with its vendors, many of whom have been with the builder for more than 15 years.

“They understand the level of quality we expect,” George said. “This results in timely execution of work and a consistent quality of product.”

Homebuyers who want to avail themselves of the Chris George Homes experience may select from a variety of home sites at Woodland Ridge for a custom home. If they are looking to move quickly, they can select either reverse, ranch or two-story plans now under construction with varying completion dates.

“Woodland Ridge is built on secluded, rolling hills, which allows for many elevations and choices of home designs,” George said.

Outside plans and builders are also welcome at Woodland Ridge with approval. View all the floor plans and available homes at newhomeskc.net or chrisgeorgenewhomes.com. All homes in Woodland Ridge qualify for 100 percent USDA financing.

Amenities at Woodland Ridge include the community’s swimming pool and proximity to two beautiful lakes, which are part of a city park located in the community. Fishing, boating, hiking and horseback riding are also available at nearby Hillsdale State Park.

Woodland Ridge is in the award-winning Spring Hill School District. The Spring Hill High School complex at 199th Street and Ridgeview Road is a few blocks away. Elementary students attend Wolf Creek Elementary School.

Residents of Woodland Ridge are minutes from U.S. 69 and U.S. 169 highways, allowing them to quickly reach all parts of the Kansas City area.

This story was originally published February 14, 2015 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Homes at Woodland Ridge feature top trends for 2015."