Getting your player ready...
Here’s a great place to start your tour of the Parade of Homes today: A grand opening (with barbecue, 11-to-2) of Meritage Homes’ new ‘Ellingwood’ show home in master-planned Tallyn’s Reach, a setting that shows off great views as well as choice access to Southlands mall, Aurora Reservoir and other attractions. After the downturn, Meritage picked up some great lots here – most of them perfect for a day-lighted walkout basement; and amazingly, Meritage is including the walkout and its overhead deck in the package, at prices that start from $353,990.
“We have a terrific line up of livable, open floorplans,” said Meritage’s Kyle Parzybok, showing off the deck setup on the back of the Ellingwood, showcasing a view across Tallyn’s Black Forest landscape to a view of the ranges southwest of town. Parzybok and Craig Dunkelberger will show you those 33 sites (four sold before the model opened!) dispersed around Tallyn’s master-plan, served by Homestead Park pool and community center and by Cherry Creek’s Coyote Hills Elementary School – 10-for-10 stars at GreatSchools.net. Almost two-thirds of the sites can take the walkout; and some back to open space and/or showcase some memorable views. Either way, you’ll get Meritage’s remarkably thorough energy conservation, including spray-foam insulation (the Ellingwood got an astounding HERS score of 57 – so low that a buyer might be saving around $1,400/year over what they’d use in an older resale home). You’ll tour what’s likely the most educational exhibit in the Parade – space on the bedroom level that’s ‘deconstructed’ to show you how much more Meritage does for buyers energy-wise. Meanwhile, Parzybok says that the model itself is worth the trip: “We’ve had buyers who have shopped around, who tell us it just feels like home,” he said. “That they want to buy the show home as is.” On your way you can see Southlands with its Main Street shopping district; a good selection of dining with On the Border, P.F. Chang’s, Ted’s Montana and Olive Garden; four nearby golf courses, not to mention the reservoir. You can also see a showcase-home ‘Crestone’ 4-bedroom that Meritage can deliver this fall – 3,300 square feet at $491,249 – including the free walkout and deck. Take Smoky Hill east past Southlands to Tallyn’s Reach Pkwy, then right a block to Ottawa. If you go… WHERE: Grand Opening & Parade of Homes barbecue, Meritage Homes at Tallyn’s Reach, new ‘Ellingwood’ model; 2 ranch plans, 2,400-2,800 s.f., special ‘deconstructed’ energy exhibit; free barbecue, live music 11-2 today. 25010 E. Ottawa Dr., Aurora; take Smoky Hill east past 470, 1 mile to Tallyn’s Reach Pkwy; right 1 blk to Ottawa, left (east).mark@samuelsonassoc.com. You can see all of Mark Samuelson’s columns online at DenverPostHomes