Engaged couple selects Lennar’s Lamplight Cottages for first home

Mark Taddeo and Gina Barbara chose a home at Lennar's Lamplight Cottages, as they prepare for their May wedding in Long Island, N.Y.

The couple began shopping for a home shortly after their engagement, and chose the Fairfield model in the southwestern neighborhood.

"I've lived here for seven years," Barbara said. "And I've always been attracted to the look and style of the Lamplight neighborhoods. I loved the charm, the covered porches, the exterior colors. They just didn't look like your ordinary Las Vegas neighborhood."

Taddeo also praised the neighborhood.

"Lamplight Cottages is very homey. It gives you that friendly neighborhood feeling with the park, the gazebo, the pools and the children's play area," he said.

Barbara agreed.

"We looked at over 20 communities, and we were amazed that only two or three (including Lamplight Cottages) actually had a swimming pool and spa," she said. "This is Las Vegas. One of Mark's favorite ways to relax at the end of a busy day is to go for a swim, so having access to a community pool was a priority for us."

The Fairfield design measures 1,507 square feet. The two-story home features three bedrooms, 11/2 baths, and an oversized two-car garage with added storage space.

The main floor is an open great room design with an L-shaped kitchen and a dining nook. The living space also offers a recessed media niche, and bright windows that expand the open feeling of the home.

A laundry room and powder room are also located on the main floor.

The second story includes a loft, den/study, or family computer center. The master suite, two secondary bedrooms and a second bath are located on the upper floor.

The home also has a covered entry porch. The home's B and D elevations offer an expanded wrap-around porch.

The couple was impressed by the home's standard features.

"When we compared Lamplight Cottages to other communities, the differences were so obvious," Taddeo said. "At Lamplight Cottages, we really didn't need to do anything, or spend anything extra. Everything was already included in the price, right down to the window coverings. For first-time home buyers just starting out, that is pretty great."

The couple was able to qualify for a new FHA financing program that recently became available.

The couple described the features that caught their attention.

"We love the granite kitchen countertops, and the stainless-steel appliances," Barbara said. "And the big double door refrigerator. Our home also has oak cabinetry that looks great with the color of the granite. Even the washer and dryer are upgraded models that didn't cost us a penny more."

Taddeo noted other details. "After looking at so many communities you really do see the details," he said. "Here, the home's interior doors are not flat, they are raised panel. The plumbing fixtures and the lighting fixtures are even upscale, not the goldtone or brass look so common in this price range."

The couple also extended praise for the Lennar staff.

Lamplight Cottages is a gated community located at Buffalo Drive and Windmill Lane.

The community's two-story home designs range from 1,282 to 1,660 square feet, with pricing from the $300,000s.

Master suites include a garden tub and cultured marble vanity with double basins.

Lennar also provides an electrical package that includes extensive prewiring for phone, cable TV, ceiling fans and state-of-the-art CAT-5E high-tech structured wiring system.

Paverstone driveways and walkways are also standard. A selection of homes is currently offered for 30-, 60- and 90-day move-ins.

To visit the Lennar Welcome Home Center, take Interstate-215, the Las Vegas Beltway, to the Rainbow Boulevard exit, turn south to Windmill Road, then west to the community. Model homes are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily except Monday when they close at 3 p.m.

For more information call 837-0195 or visit lennar.com.