Family picks Richmond American

Sean and Michelle Mahurin are tech sergeants in the Air Force. Sean was stationed overseas in Iraq while Michelle searched for a new home for them and their two children, Ryan, 12, and Allison, 7. The family found a perfect fit at Brentwood Grove, a Richmond American community in northwestern Las Vegas.

"The RichmondAmerican.com Web site was very helpful," Michelle Mahurin said. "I could send pictures to Sean and he was able to take virtual tours of the homes while he was overseas. I really liked the community's location right away. It's away from the hustle and bustle, but still close to amenities and the schools we wanted."

"There is only one entrance to the neighborhood, so you don't have to worry about high traffic," Sean Mahurin said.

Brentwood Grove is a small community tucked away in an established area with the mountains and desert vistas as a backdrop.

"We could see and feel the quality of the home, right down to the countertops and cabinets," Michelle Mahurin said. "It had everything we wanted, and it was a good value."

The Mahurins chose the Willow floor plan. Priced from the $230,000s, this two-story home offers 2,050 square feet, three bedrooms, 21/2 baths and a two-car garage. A circular entry adds curb appeal, and the main floor features a dining room, kitchen, nook and family room. Other highlights include a loft, tech center and master bedroom suite with private bath and two walk-in closets.

"The overall flow of the house is great," Michelle Mahurin said. "The family room and loft give us a separate space from the kids. The dual closets in the master bedroom are ideal. I knew it was the right choice when Ryan said, 'Mom, it just feels like home."

"The built-in desk at the tech center is a great place for my computer," Sean Mahurin said. "It's away from the everyday noise and doesn't interfere with our living space."

Michelle Mahurin completed the closing on their new home toward the end of October, and Sean returned from Iraq just a week later.

"When Sean came home, everything hit home for me," Michelle Mahurin said. "It confirmed that it was really all ours."

"Brentwood Grove is a nice, small community and we've gotten to know our neighbors," Sean Mahurin said. "Ryan has made good friends here. I've already been recommending Richmond American Homes to other people I work with."

Brentwood Grove offers three floor plans in addition to the Willow. Priced from $199,990, the Elm is a single-story home with three bedrooms and two baths in about 1,100 square feet.

Priced from the $240,000s, the Birch is a two-story home with three bedrooms and three baths in 2,150 square feet. The first floor features an open family room, nook and kitchen, with a separate dining room and study. The second floor offers a master suite with a private bath and two walk-in closets, as well as a loft, laundry room, two secondary bedrooms and bath.

The largest floor plan is the Empress, priced from the $250,000s. This home features four bedrooms and three baths in 2,350 square feet. The main level includes a dining room, family room, kitchen, nook, study and full bath.

Models are open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Friday when they open at noon. To visit, take Interstate 215, the Las Vegas Beltway, north to the Decatur Boulevard exit and go north. Turn left on Brent Lane and continue past Thom Boulevard.

For more information, call the sales center at 656-3017 or visit RichmondAmerican.com.

Information about all Richmond American communities in the Las Vegas area is available at the Home Gallery, located at 7770 S. Dean Martin Drive, Suite D-10. The gallery is open 9 a.m. to 7 a.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call 877-420-1868.