There are a surprising number of good options for new construction on the eastern plains of Colorado Springs these days. Yesterday we wrote on a spec home in Banning Lewis Ranch, after a survey of neighborhoods that included Forest Meadows, The Gables, Meridian Ranch and Woodmen Hills. We looked at models from Legendary Homes, Capitol Pacific, John Laing, Todays Homes, Richmond Homes, Oakwood Homes and resales by Lennar, Richmond, and others. The decision to go with the Banning Lewis location was based on the location itself, the great lot, and good value of the home. While we won't know if the seller will go for the deal yet, I thought it would be worth noting a few things:
1. Banning Lewis is going to have a lot of pull for many different lifestyles. From those just starting out in home ownership all the way to empty nesters and active retirees, and everyone in between, this place is really going to have it all. The high speed internet access with 10Mbit upload and download speeds on fiber optic is really a great thing for the work at home technology worker, and the clubhouse and pool, tennis courts, trails, parks and school situation is really hard to beat, and is not pie in the sky, they are already in place.
2. The "active lifestyle" communities are really increasing in popularity. Woodmen Hills and Meridian Ranch were on the early side of that movement, and Banning Lewis has just taken it to the next level.
3. The Gables, on the eastern edge of Banning Lewis, has some interesting larger lots, and is very convenient for commuting and shopping.
4. There were fewer spec homes than I have seen in past builder visits, a clue that the builders are not sticking their necks out too far in these challenging business conditions.
5. The foreclosures / short sale homes did not come across as great bargains, although we saw 3 on the Antlers Creek Golf Course in Falcon at Meridian Ranch / Woodmen Hills that looked intriguing.