Golfers discover Mountain Falls area

A round of golf first led Southern Californians Doug and Marilyn McLeod to the Mountain Falls community in Pahrump. They said the Tuscan-style homes surrounding the public Mountain Falls Golf Club caught their eye and turned their golfing trip into discovering their future home.

"Last year, my brother-in-law, who lives in California, invited us to join him on his birthday to play golf at Mountain Falls. I noticed the beauty of Mountain Falls and the neighborhoods overlooking the course. After we were done playing golf, my husband and I decided to look around the community instead of returning to the hotel," Marilyn McLeod said.

"We were not looking to buy a second house at all when we first toured the model homes. We had only come here to golf. But, we felt compelled to come back the next week and to take another look. While we were sitting down in the model of our future home, we just felt like we were at home."

The semi-retired couple selected the single-story, 1,396-square-foot design with two bedrooms, den and two baths on a lot with mountain views from the front and backyards.

"We fell in love with our William Lyon home, the open design, the beauty of the community," she said.

Although initially purchased as a second home, they plan to make the new home into their primary residence.

"We plan to move to Mountain Falls permanently and to sell our home in Laguna Woods, Calif., when the housing market turns around because we prefer it here. The people here are just so friendly. It is so quiet it is here. The air is so clean. The golf course and community are just beautiful. And, my neighbors are just wonderful," she said.

Pahrump has a population of about 35,000 and is located west of Las Vegas.

In addition to the public golf course, the community features the Mountain Falls Grill Room in the clubhouse.

The Mountain Falls residents' facility features a fitness center with exercise equipment and classes, an outdoor aquatic center with a family-style pool, interactive splash pad, a 25-acre lap pool and spa, a multipurpose room and a residents' lounge with card tables, pool tables and a big-screen television.

William Lyon Homes offers the Bella Sera, Cascata Ancora and Tramonto neighborhoods, where single-story homes range from 1,157 to 2,897 square feet and are priced from the mid-$100,000s. They are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Monday, when models open at noon.

Classic Homes' Paradiso neighborhood offers five single- and two-story floor plans with up to 4,300 square feet, and Desert Wind Homes' Tivoli neighborhood offers homes ranging from 1,938 to 2,097 square feet. Office hours at Paradiso and Tivoli vary.

To visit from Las Vegas, travel about 45 miles west on Highway 160 (Blue Diamond Road) past Interstate 15. Before reaching Pahrump, turn left on Manse Road. Proceed to Hafen Ranch Road, turn right and follow the signs. For information, visit mountainfalls.com.