Principal, wife give high marks to San Marin

     When Larry Williams, the principal of Western High School, and his wife, Bev, decided to move up to a larger home, they chose one built by the same company, Pardee Homes, that built their previous home.
      "We lived in a 1,578-square-foot home in Pardee's Southridge for about seven years, when I told Larry it was time to find a home with more room," Bev Williams said.
      Their new home is in the builder's San Marin neighborhood, which is part of the Rancho Las Palmas planned community.
      "The Plan Three model ... was the absolute last model I looked at, because I knew I had found our new home," she said. "I could envision tile floors downstairs at the front entry, throughout the kitchen, and into the laundry room."
      The home measures 3,000 square feet with five bedrooms. Standard features include a fireplace, built-in gas cook top, self-cleaning oven, dishwasher and mirrored wardrobe doors in the owner bedroom.
      Three one- and two-story plans are available, measuring from 1,721 to 3,045 square feet.
      Prices start from $142,450 to $186,425.
      Community amenities include a park with tennis courts, lighted basketball courts and a gazebo.
      To visit, take Windmill Avenue west from Eastern Avenue to Vista Palmas Boulevard, head south and follow the signs. The sales office is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Monday, when it opens at 11 a.m.