Winter 2023

Hassle-Free Homes

Maintenance-provided communities take over the honey-do list so residents can do what they please.

Words by Megan Felling

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here’s no such thing as an absolutely hassle-free home, of course—someone still has to wash the dishes! But there is a place where certain chores never land on your own to-do list. Instead, they get outsourced to a community team.

Maintenance-provided homes—also called villas—are growing in popularity across all generations. Villa living was once seen as something just for retirees or empty nesters. But a growing number of young professionals and young families are looking at maintenance-provided homes as a way to free up more time to focus on their careers or family or both.

Villa residents don’t have to spend time taking care of exterior chores such as mowing the lawn, landscaping and snow removal. The lock-and-leave aspect also is attractive to those who travel often, regardless of age or life stage.

Monthly homeowner association fees usually include lawn care and irrigation, as well as snow removal. Residents often will enjoy amenities such as a community pool, park or walking trails.

Villas range in size and style, but often they are smaller than a single-family home, include two to three bedrooms, and could present as freestanding, duplex or multiplex buildings. The most common difference is that villas frequently are one level, sometimes with a finished basement. Open floor plans are popular, with a great room instead of a formal dining and living room. Materials and finishes are typically selected for low maintenance.

“People want to spend time going out to dinner, enjoying time with their families or traveling—not worrying about yard work,” says Jim Lambie of Lambie Homes, who has built homes in several maintenance-provided communities. “Maintenance-provided communities give them that option of worry-free living.”

Bill and Debbie K. are empty-nesters who just moved back to Kansas City from Phoenix. They were the first residents to move into Cadence Villas in the Northland.

“We knew we wanted this lifestyle,” Bill says. “We decided we had cut and watered enough grass and shoveled enough snow to last a lifetime, especially after living in Phoenix.”

The couple also enjoys the floor plan, with a large living area and two levels.

“When you find the right floor plan, it lives bigger than you think,” Bill says. “Although we downsized, we haven’t had to get rid of anything yet. We have just moved in, but we are definitely looking forward to not shoveling this winter.”

Sound like the ideal lifestyle for you? Here is a sampling of maintenance-provided communities to consider:

Regents Park

regentsparkleawood.com/twin-villas
135th Street and Kenneth Road in Leawood, Kansas

Developed by Rick Lashbrook and built by Lambie Homes, Leawood’s newest maintenance-provided community of luxury twin villas is conveniently located in the prime 135th Street corridor. They will feature two bedrooms and two baths on the main floor, with optional lower-level finish for additional living space. Lot reservations are now being accepted.

Solera Reserve

solerareserve.com
139th Street and Quivira Road in Overland Park, Kansas

Set amid curving streets on beautiful rolling green space, Solera Reserve has recently opened its third phase—offering a variety of lots, including wooded and walkout options. These luxury freestanding villas offer two bedrooms on the main level, heated and cooled all-season sunrooms, and covered porches.

Stonebridge Villas and The Courts of Stonebridge

rodrock.com
169th Place and Mur-Len Road in Olathe, Kansas

Coming soon! Two new areas are in the works within the Stonebridge community: New freestanding villas and attached triplex options featuring additional exterior building maintenance for truly carefree living. Endless amenities are available, plus Heritage Park is close by for outdoor enthusiasts.

Twin Villas at Meadowbrook

meadowbrookpark.com/twin-villas
Nall Avenue and Meadowbrook Parkway in Prairie Village, Kansas

Built on a beautiful landscape that was previously a country club and golf course, Meadowbrook Park contains single-family homes, twin villas, luxury apartments, an inn, a restaurant and upscale senior living all within its boundaries. Located in the Parkside and gated Reserve neighborhoods of Meadowbrook, the twin villas built by Tom French Construction are stately homes that feature rear-loaded garages so homes face the area’s abundant parklettes, green space and lakes. Although the twin villas are nearly sold out, there are plenty of other options to consider as the entire Meadowbrook community is maintenance-provided.

The Villas at Mission Ranch

rodrock.com
159th Terrace and Mission Road in Overland Park, Kansas

With lawn mowing and snow removal taken care of, these freestanding villas offer residents a carefree lifestyle ideally located near multiple dining, shopping and entertainment options. The villas are part of the overall Mission Ranch community, which features resort-style amenities including a zero-entry pool, cardio center, various sport courts and nature trails.

Cadence Villas

huntmidwestkc.com
N Platte Purchase Drive and NW 100 Street in Kansas City, Missouri

Cadence Villas is located in the rolling hills of Kansas City’s Northland and is just a quick commute to KCI Airport, downtown Kansas City and a wide variety of local shopping and entertainment hotspots. Whether you are looking to rightsize or simply to relax without having to worry about lawn care, Cadence Villas has a wide range of options from the area’s top builders, with inventory available now.

Chapel Hill Villas

chapelhill.villas
175th Street and Pflumm Road in Overland Park, Kansas

Built on land that was once a family farm, 44 twin villas perfect for a lock-and-leave lifestyle were designed with an emphasis on open, light-filled living areas—perfect for entertaining—and easy, main-floor living. The villas are conveniently located near Heritage Park and include access to the Chapel Hill community’s walking trails, clubhouse, pools and pickleball court.

The Cottages at Kenneth Estates

kennethestates.com
71st Street and Pflumm Road in Shawnee, Kansas

Located inside the I-435 loop, this close-in development is built on what was the property of Kenneth Smith, who crafted tailor-made golf clubs for world-famous clients. It includes three neighborhoods connected with winding paths for nature viewing. The cottages are maintenance-provided single-family homes with walkout, daylight and level lots backing to trees, water views and greenspace.

Creekmoor Club Villas

creekmoor.com/club-villas
Route 58 and Foxridge Drive in Raymore, Missouri

The master-planned Creekmoor community is designed around Creekmoor Lake and an 18-hole championship golf course, and it includes a variety of neighborhoods designed to enjoy resort-style living with Creekmoor’s extensive amenities. Nestled around the golf course, the club villas are detached villas built by SAB Homes and feature main-level living.

The Enclave of Mill Creek

enclaveatmillcreek.com
Midland Drive near I-435 in Shawnee, Kansas

These luxury attached homes built by Dusty Rhodes Homes are situated in duplex and fourplex buildings nestled around a cul-de-sac. Three-bedroom, three-bath floor plans start at approximately 2,600 square feet, and a covered porch extends the living space. Construction is underway, with two finished models available for touring.

Park Ridge Manor

parkridgecommunities.com
Woods Chapel Road and Park Ridge Drive in Lee’s Summit, Missouri

Consisting of single-family homes and maintenance-provided neighborhoods, Park Ridge offers many community amenities—including a notable clubhouse. Plus, it’s tucked between Lake Jacomo and Blue Springs Lake. The HOA fees for the recently opened Park Ridge Manor include snow removal and all lawn care, including water costs for the sprinkler systems. Freestanding villas offer approximately 2,800 square feet, with a focus on main-level living.

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