Internet leads couple to Lennar

Karen Abbundi is an Internet buff, according to her husband, Raymond Abbundi.

Seven years ago, the Abbundis came to Las Vegas for an extended vacation just to see if the city was somewhere they really wanted to live when they retired.

"By the end of our visit we both agreed, 'Yeah, this is pretty neat, I think we want to do this,'" Raymond Abbundi said. "After that initial trip, we really started keeping an eye on what was happening in Las Vegas. By January 2006 the real estate market was so crazy that we decided it was time to start house-hunting."

Karen Abbundi immediately went to work doing research on every builder and community in the entire valley. She made it her mission to learn everything she could so that they could make an informed decision once they started looking at homes. Karen Abbundi's search brought her to the Lennar Web site where she was able to preview floor plans and acquaint herself with the home builder's communities -- the locations, amenities, square-footage and pricing.

"Lennar was definitely on my list long before we got here," Karen Abbundi said.

Even armed with Karen Abbundi's extensive information, the couple estimates they still previewed more than 75 homes before they selected the Pinehurst residence at Earlstone in Anthem Highlands, a Henderson community that is in final closeout.

The couple originally previewed the Pinehurst model at Lennar's White Horse South in the northwest, but decided on Earlstone in Anthem Highlands, which also features the floor plan.

The two-story, 4,486-square-foot home features five bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths and a three-car garage.

Exterior design elements include covered porches, patios and verandas, pop-out detailing around the windows and accents highlighted by two-tone exterior paint detailing, paver-stone driveways and front walkways. The home's interior also offers standard upgrades, such as custom recessed lighting, slab granite counters, maple cabinetry, 36-inch gas porcelain cooktop, flush design double ovens, cultured marble vanities in all the baths and ceramic tile surround detailing in the master suite.

The first floor of the Pinehurst features formal living and formal dining rooms, study off the foyer, an open kitchen with an informal breakfast nook backed by bay windows and a family room. The kitchen also features a walk-in pantry and a super-sized island with bar-counter seating for up to eight. The adjoining family room offers a large media niche. A French door opens from the family room to a covered patio that extends from the family room and nook. Also located on the main floor is a bedroom with bath, laundry room and a guest powder room.

Raymond Abbundi, who was a research physicist for the federal government, turned the main-floor study into his home office. Rather than retire completely, he continues to serve as a consultant and is currently working on radiation detection projects for the U.S. Navy. Meanwhile, Karen Abbundi created her own computer room in one of the upstairs bedrooms. The main-floor bedroom has been designated as their guest bedroom.

The second-floor master retreat includes a large media niche and bath with oval garden tub, separate glass-enclosed shower, dual sinks, vanity and walk-in wardrobe. A major highlight is a two-sided fireplace that opens to the bath and the bedroom. The master suite also offers a veranda. Also on the second floor are a second den/study and three additional bedrooms.

There are two Bay Hill and two Pinehurst residences remaining. The Bay Hill features 3,598 square feet, four bedrooms, four full baths and a loft. The Pinehurst residence is 4,486 square feet, featuring five bedrooms and 4 1/2 baths.

To visit, take Eastern Avenue south to Sun City Anthem to Bicentennial Parkway. Then take Bicentennial to Anthem Highlands Drive. Turn left on Democracy Drive and follow the signs.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, except for Monday when the office closes at 3 p.m.

For more information, call 269-5421 or visit lennar.com