Mickey Lou, with New Home Store, shows off this home's family room, which features large windows. Wasatch homes include such features as Moen fixtures, rounded corners and an appliance package with range, dishwasher and garbage disposal.  Madison Place was designed for individuals looking for maintenance-free living and security. The front yard of each home is taken care of by the homeowners association. Wasatch Homes allows buyers to customize their home to meet their needs.  Madison Place, a gated community located at 5683 Saybrook Ave. (3920 South), offers the convenience of maintenance-free living.

At Home in Utah ~ Article 1
July 27, 2002

Wasatch offers endless opportunities

Wasatch Homes is currently building in two locations -- two very different locations. 

And that, in and of itself, is somewhat unique. Home builders don't always like to stray far from their signature communities. 

In this case, however, Wasatch Homes thought selection was paramount. It felt that the range of home buyers was greater than a single product.

Madison Place is a gated community, located at 5683 Saybrook Ave. (3920 South), offering the convenience of maintenance-free living.

Rosecrest, located at 13940 S. 5600 West in Herriman, is a new community of single-family homes tucked back against the mountain backdrop of the Oquirrhs, offering both seclusion and convenience.

"Each of the communities has its own unique personality," says Jason Holt of Wasatch Homes, "and in each case we're getting a wide range of buyer. And, in some cases, buyers are caught between the two locations.

"We had one buyer, for example, who was ready to close on a home in Madison, but then drove out to Rosecrest, saw what was there and moved locations. I think in some cases people simply don't realize the type of community Herriman has turned into."

Madison was designed for individuals looking for maintenance-free living and security. The front yard of each home is taken care of by the homeowners association. Also, there is no need to shovel walks in the winter or do outside maintenance. It's a benefit of living in the community and being a member of the homeowners association.

"What we're finding," Holt says, "is we're getting a lot of empty-nesters interested in the homes. It's a perfect community for those who want to downsize after their children have moved on or are looking for a home designed more for their current needs.

"But we're also getting a lot of people simply looking for this lifestyle -- single parents, young couples and professionals," he continues. "These homes are very appealing. And, we're finding these homes appeal to those who travel a lot and can't be tied down to a home."

Prices range from $130,000 to $200,000. 

The homes range from the Olympus, which is Madison's best-selling home since introduced in 2001. It offers the benefits of a rambler with a main-floor master, yet the cost effectiveness of a two-story home. The master bath has the optional tub and shower and the oversize family room features vaulted ceilings for a very open feeling.

The Wasatch is a two-story home with four bedrooms on the second level, with a large master bath, a second full bath on the upper level and a half-bath on the main level.

On Saturday, the decorated model will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Along with serving refreshments, Wasatch Homes will also have a lender on hand to answer questions and qualify buyers.

Among the standard features are complete landscaping with white vinyl privacy fence along the back yard, full-stucco exterior, Moen fixtures, rounded corners, TJI silent floor and an appliance package with range, dishwasher and garbage disposal.

The designer package includes central air, natural-gas fireplace, two-tone paint, jetted tub in the master, space-saver microwave and ceramic tile entry.

Another of the main attractions is the location. The community is close by Whittier Elementary, Hunter Middle School and Hunter High School, as well as a number of recreational opportunities, including Meadowbrook and West Ridge golf courses, Redwood Multipurpose and West Valley recreation centers, as well as the Jordan River Parkway.

Currently, Wasatch Homes is offering new buyers a one-year family membership to the West Valley Community Recreation Center in the price of the home.

Rosecrest is proving, for many people, to be a surprise.

"People who haven't traveled to the southwest corner of the valley for a few years are shocked. A lot of things are happening there," Holt says. "A lot of very nice things.

"I think one of the most surprising things is how accessible the area is. It's actually more accessible than some other areas of the valley. By jumping on Bangerter (Highway) and then I-15, you can be in Salt Lake City in 20 minutes."

Of course, what is proving to be one of the main attractions to Rosecrest is the selection of homes. Wasatch offers more than 30 plans with a very broad price range -- from the $140,000s to $300,000 and up.

"Another thing this area has to offer is that because it is new, the homes are new," Holt explains. "These are some very nice communities, with all new homes, in a very picturesque setting.

"A lot of people talk about the views from the eastside of the valley. Well, the views from the sloping foothills in Herriman are every bit as good, if not better. One buyer who was looking on the eastside because of the views, ended up buying in Rosecrest because of the affordable home prices, and claimed his views were better than what he saw on the eastside."

Also, because this is a new community with the latest building designs, the requirements placed on builders are very stringent. All of the homes in Rosecrest, for example, must have all brick and/or stucco exteriors.

And, because of the amount of interest being shown in Rosecrest, the architectural diversity in the area is as wide as it can be. There is, as Holt points out, "A home to fit every requirement -- design, style and price."

One of the things Wasatch prides itself on is its ability to build to meet the needs of the home buyer.

That is, says Holt, "We are very flexible when it comes to the home. The buyer can customize his or her home in any way they choose to meet their needs. There is no limit to what we can do to accommodate the buyer. That means everything from enlarging rooms to changing the configuration of the home."

Recently, Wasatch Homes began a new program that has proven very popular with buyers. Ever two weeks, an updated photograph of the home is taken and placed on Wasatch's Web site. Buyers can go online and remain current with the building progress of their home. The user-friendly Web site also offers buyers a full range of interesting and important information.

Wasatch Homes has more than 50 years of experience in the Utah homebuilding market.

One of the homes in Rosecrest being introduced by Wasatch Homes will be part of the upcoming Salt Lake Valley Parade of Homes.

For more information on the grand opening and the homes in Madison Place, call 801-963-0700; for more information on Rosecrest, call 801-557-6403; or visit the Web site at www.wasatchhomes.com.