Retired golfing couple move into ‘forever house’ in Mountain Falls

Mike Rowell's lifelong dream of living on a golf course came true the day he and wife, Freda, closed on their single-story home at Mountain Falls, a master-planned golf community by William Lyon Homes in Pahrump Valley, which is located about 45 miles west of the Strip.

The Rowells were living in Ridgecrest, Calif., when they first encountered Mountain Falls Golf Club during a Southern Nevada getaway.

Mike Rowell said they loved playing the course so much that they returned the following year to begin house shopping.

"We took an early retirement and knew Mountain Falls was where we wanted to be," said Mike Rowell, a golfer of 52 years. "It was cost prohibitive to purchase in any other golf course community, so this was a perfect fit."

The couple selected Plan One in William Lyon Homes' Tramonto.

The couple said the 1,970-square-foot, three-bedroom home's open floor plan appealed to the engineer in him and the hostess in her.

"As a retired engineer, Mike was immediately impressed with the open design," Freda Rowell said. "It's perfect for a houseful of guests. We had 60 friends from California here and no one felt crowded."

Most of all, the Rowells said they love their home site -- a golf course lot situated on the 12th hole.

"We requested a golf course lot and patiently bided our time until one was available. When we're not on the course, we can see the course. It's everything we ever wanted," Mike Rowell said.

Mike and Freda Rowell play their home course five times weekly. While they both said they enjoy the challenges of the 18-hole parkland course, they also take pleasure in other aspects of the experience.

A student of her husband, Freda Rowell has been golfing for the past six years.

"Everyone at the clubhouse knows us. When we're on the driving range, employees and neighbors drive by and wave to us. It's so nice to have that close-knit community feel," she said.

The Grill Room, located in Mountain Falls' clubhouse, is a frequent post-golf stop for the husband-and-wife twosome. Open to golfers, residents and the public, the Grill Room serves breakfast and lunch daily, dinner Thursday through Saturday and Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"The sandwiches are so huge that we usually share one," Freda said. "The meals are affordable -- just like everything at Mountain Falls -- and the waiters and waitresses are all so personable."

While Mike sticks to golf in his leisure time, Freda said she plans to take advantage of the resident facility's fitness center, located adjacent to the Grill Room.

It's fully equipped with cardio and weight machines. Other amenities include a multi-purpose room for fitness classes, a resident lounge with a pool table and a state-of-the-art outdoor aquatic center.

"I sold my Bowflex exercise machine since the resident facility's right here for us," Freda Rowell said. "Now we don't need workout equipment taking up space in the house."

"We tell everyone we know about Mountain Falls. This is our 'forever house,'" Mike said.

Home buyers can tour model homes in seven communities.

William Lyon Homes is selling the single-story communities of Entrata, Cascata Ancora, Tramonto and Bella Sera. Fourteen plans range from 1,157 to 2,897 square feet with as many as five bedrooms and four baths. Prices start in the high $100,000s.

Sales are under way at Villa Serena and Villagio by Celebrate Homes. Buyers can select from six single-story layouts measuring 1,609 to 2,513 square feet with up to four bedrooms and three baths, priced from the low $200,000s.

Tivoli by Desert Wind Homes is also selling. The single-story neighborhood offers three home plans with 1,938 to 2,097 square feet of living space.

Residences have up to four bedrooms and 31/2 baths. Homes are priced from the $200,000s.

Classic Homes will add new home choices shortly.

Dozens of neighborhood mini parks and walking trails are in place with more planned.

Homeowners association fees are set at less than $45 monthly.

To visit, travel about 45 miles west on State Route 160 (Blue Diamond Road) past Interstate 15.

Before reaching Pahrump, turn left on Manse Road. Proceed to Hafen Ranch Road and turn right, then left on Lakeview.

The Mountain Falls Information Center is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

For more information, visit mountainfalls.com or call 866-468-3255.