MacDonald Ranch lot fits lenders' plans

     After living in Las Vegas for 11 years and building their careers as home loan officers, Don and Iris Salazar realized they were ready to build something else -- their dream home.
      "Too many communities in the Las Vegas Valley are comprised of oversized homes on small lots," Iris Salazar said. "We decided we wanted to build our own custom house on our own spacious site. When we began looking last year, we fell in love with MacDonald Ranch Country Club."
      The guard-gated community, nestled in the foothills of Henderson, offers custom lots overlooking an 18-hole golf course.
      "The privacy, security, amenities and value of the property made us realize that this is the place where we would like to retire some day," Don Salazar said.
      The Salazars, originally from Santa Fe, N.M., plan to build a single-level, Mediterranean-style home. Their plans call for four bedrooms; a four-car garage; a semi-circular driveway with covered parking; desert landscaping in the front yard; and a swimming pool, spa, covered patio and a fountain in the back yard. All homes in the community must conform to architectural guidelines implemented by Foothills Partners, the developers.
      "Working in the home-loan industry for more than 44 years combined, we understand the importance and self-gratification of owning a dream home," Iris Salazar said.
      The golf course is under construction at the community. Other amenities will include tennis courts, a clubhouse, a playground and fitness trails.
      "I like the fact that our property is situated along the mountainside and away from everything, yet still close enough to get where we want to go," Don Salazar said.
      The home sites range from one-quarter of an acre to more than an acre.
      They are priced from $135,000 to more than $1 million.
      To visit, take Lake Mead Drive to Valle Verde Drive, turn south and proceed to Horizon Ridge Parkway. The sales office is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.