Las Vegas has 3 top-selling master plans in U.S.

It's always hotter in the Southwest, and homes sales in master-planned communities offer no exception.

New master-planned communities are sprawling into the wide open spaces throughout Nevada and the West.

Skye Canyon in the northwest Las Vegas Valley boasts 1,700 acres and four homebuilders: Pardee Homes, Century Communities, Pulte Homes and Woodside Homes.

Olympia Cos., the developer of Skye Canyon, has begun meeting with prospective homebuilders for parcel selection in Phase 2.

"Skye Canyon is a unique lifestyle driven opportunity in Las Vegas," said Dan Hale, vice president of Pardee Homes. "Its location near the valley's pristine outdoor recreation areas surrounding Mount Charleston and Red Rock Canyon (National Conservation Area), and its amenities, make this the perfect community for those who value healthy and vibrant living."

Cadence is developing 2,200 acres in Henderson. The community has 450 acres of open space with parks, walking paths, bike trails, a bike-sharing program and a 100-acre sports park.

Ten of the top 50 selling master-planned communities in the nation are from California, nine from Florida, four from Denver, three in Las Vegas and big ol' state of Texas can claim the lion's share of 20 of the top 50. Houston, which has always been a master-planned community leader, can take credit for 15 of those. Las Vegas was just behind Houston in the number of master-planned communities in the top 50 list with Mountain's Edge, Providence and Summerlin all in the top 20, according John Burns Real Estate Consulting.

Johnson Development Corp. recently purchased a 590-acre tract in Richmond, southwest of Houston, for a master-planned community with 2,500 homes.

Del Webb's newly planned community just outside Sweetgrass is expected to begin development by the middle of next year. Located close to the Brazos River, the site is across the street is an 800-acre plot planned for the creation of a state-of-the-art nature preserve and tourism center.

"This is more than a community of new homes, it is land that holds a special meaning for the Richmond community," says Doug Goff, Johnson Development's chief operating officer.

"When a family foundation says 'we trust you to do the right thing,' they are entrusting us to protect and enhance a legacy founded over 100 years ago," Larry Johnson, president, and Johnson Development CEO said in a press release.

According to John Burns Real Estate Consulting, the top 50 master-planned communities accounted for 22,238 new home sales in 2014 or 5 percent of annual new-home sales in the country.

Johnson Development already has four communities in the top 50 in the nation, and every one of them is in Houston.

Las Vegas' Summerlin has been at the top of the U.S. top-selling master plan for several years.

"Thanks to great amenities that include more than 150 parks, miles of trails and new retail, The Howard Hughes Corp. has made Summerlin one of the most desirable addresses in the Las Vegas Valley, consistently commanding some of the highest new-home prices in Las Vegas," said Ken Perlman, senior vice president Ken Perlman of John Burns Real Estate Consulting.

Even though it's almost winter, things aren't cooling down in the West.