Californian purchases Meritage condo unit

Robert Jefferis has become a first-time home buyer at Meritage Homes' Watermarke condominium development in southwest Las Vegas.

"I moved to Las Vegas from Los Angeles and had been renting when I decided that I wanted to buy a home. My boss had bought a condo at Watermarke, and he kept telling me about this place," said Jefferis, who moved last year to pursue work in the construction field.

"After looking at other homes, I visited Watermarke with my Realtor and it was like a slam dunk. I found a brand new home that I liked. Meritage Homes made the purchase happen so quickly, so painlessly. I had thought that buying a home would be a difficult process, but it wasn't. I moved in a couple of weeks later. I was very impressed."

The first-time home buyer chose the Plan One Citrine floor plan. His 1,085-square-foot, two-story condominium features a master suite, optional den, 21/2 baths, and a two-car direct-access garage.

His girlfriend, Veronica Carranza, will join Jefferis this summer when she moves from Los Angeles to pursue a career in interior design.

Three additional floor plans measuring from 1,309 to 1,549 square feet are available at the gated development, where condominiums are priced from the $160,000s. Each includes a patio or deck and is situated within a three-, four- or six-plex building.

Each exterior includes desert landscaping. Some elevations also include stone facing.

"It's my first home and it is really exciting," Jefferis said. "It was a great buying experience and there was no pressure. I'm very pleased."

Like other homeowners, Jefferis enjoys Watermarke's low-maintenance lifestyle and resort-style amenities, which include a private swimming pool, spa, barbecue area and on site fitness center.

Sales associate Bridget Parker said these amenities have been an attractive feature among buyers seeking primary residences and vacation homes.

Jefferis also enjoys living in Las Vegas and Watermarke's location within the Mountain's Edge master-planned community.

"There is so much more to living in Las Vegas than just the Strip. I like living here, the quietness, the views of the mountains," he said.

"We like rock climbing and skiing and we have a new area to explore now. People from all over the world visit Las Vegas to go rock climbing at Red Rock, and now we live very close to it. We want to explore the areas outside of Las Vegas too, like Zion National Park and other places in Utah, which is only a few hours drive from our home now."

Mountain's Edge also features walking trails, parks, bicycle paths, and planned retail centers.

Meritage is also constructing single-family homes in Mountain's Edge at its Yellowstone and Summer Trail developments.

Meritage's Yellowstone community features single- and two-story homes measuring from 1,267 to more than 3,000 square feet that are priced from the high $100,000s.

Its residents have access to a clubhouse with a fitness center, swimming pools, spa, meeting room and playground.

The gated Summer Trail neighborhood features two-story homes ranging from 2,319 to 3,028 square feet with three to six bedrooms and 21/2 to four baths. Summer Trail is priced from the high $200,000s.

To visit Watermarke from the Las Vegas Strip, take Interstate 15 south to Blue Diamond Road. Travel west on Blue Diamond to Durango Drive and go south, following the signs.

To visit the communities of Summer Trail and Yellowstone from the Strip, take Interstate 15 south to Blue Diamond Road. Travel west on Blue Diamond to Buffalo Drive and travel south, following the signs.

The sales offices are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily except Monday, when they open at 11 a.m.

More information about Meritage Homes and its Las Vegas developments is available at meritagehomes.com.

More information about specific neighborhoods, special pricing and amenities may be requested through an online form.

Or call the builder at 702-896-9100.