Larger homesites draw buyers to plateau

By Teresa Kenney
Special to New Homes

RENTON -- Two homes are complete and ready for move-in at Highlands Park, located on the Renton plateau. The community of three- and four-bedroom homes is more than 50 percent sold.

"We have been getting a lot of people from the Issaquah and Sammamish areas who not only want to be closer in, but also want larger homesites," says Andrea Friedland, community sales manager at Highlands Park. "The average homesite in those areas is 3,000 to 4,000 square feet. Ours are more than double that -- we offer 7,100- to 9,000-square-foot homesites. You get more yard and home for the money, and there is more space between neighboring houses."

According to data from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, Friedland says, August home listings in King County were down compared with the same period in 2011, but pending and closed sales were up.

"We're hearing from many buyers out there that there is a lack of inventory of available homes," she says. "The two we have available for a quick closing are the Dunlin, a 3,447-square-foot home priced at $574,950, and the Pheasant, a 3,220-square-foot home priced at $529,950."

Friedland says Highlands Park -- built by Camden, LLC, an affiliate of The Burnsteads -- features the homebuilder's "signature curb appeal."

"Our neighborhood has an established look because [The Burnsteads] incorporates a lot of landscaping into its front yards," she says. "The neighborhood looks more mature from the beginning, unlike some brand-new communities, which can look sparse for a few years while plantings are established. We also include sprinkler systems in the front yards to keep the yards lush and green year-round."

Highlands Park has nine floor plans and a variety of architectural styles. Interiors range in size from 2,288 to more than 3,400 square feet and feature hardwood floors in the entries and kitchens, slab granite countertops, custom alder cabinetry, oversize kitchen islands and stainless steel appliances.

Family rooms include energy-efficient gas fireplaces framed in stone and classic hearths. Second-floor master baths feature handset tile across the floors, surrounding the showers and around the decks of the soaking tubs. Throughout the homes are Craftsman-inspired painted millwork and crown molding.

"Of the two homes that are move-in-ready, the Dunlin plan was our former model home, so it has a lot of bells and whistles, like air conditioning, rear-yard irrigation and window coverings," Friedland says.

The home also includes a main-floor guest suite/den with adjacent three-quarter bath, as well as separate formal entertaining spaces and a master suite with sitting area.

The other move-in-ready home features the Pheasant design. It includes a two-story ceiling in the entry, a formal dining room and a private study on the first floor. Both plans offer three-car garages.

Friedland says Highlands Park is conveniently located for commuters.

"We are very centrally located to Bellevue and Seattle and close to the I-405 and I-90 corridor," she says. "You can be in Bellevue in about 10 to 15 minutes and Seattle in 15 to 20 minutes. And there are a host of conveniences within a quarter-mile of the neighborhood, including a QFC and new restaurants."

Use of low-VOC (volatile organic compound) materials helps to create a healthier indoor air environment, and 2-by-6-inch exterior walls provide added strength in the homes' framing. High-performance appliances, fixtures and construction techniques translate into savings on heating and electric bills, Friedland says.

"I encourage buyers to come out this weekend and take a tour of our homes," she says. "With our unique oversize lots and high-quality designs, we anticipate being sold out completely within the year."