Summerlin nets residents' stamp of approval

     Special to Real Estate
      Summerlin has proved to be overwhelmingly popular with its residents, according to a national real estate consulting firm. A survey conducted by Robert Charles Lesser & Co. shows Summerlin received a 97 percent approval rating from its residents.
      Of the 10,000 surveys mailed to residents, 2,641 -- more than 26 percent -- were completed and returned, according to Gadi Kaufmann, managing director for the firm.
      "Ninety-seven percent is an incomparable approval rating," Kaufmann said. "With such strong satisfaction of ... residents, it's easy to understand how Summerlin has maintained its strong hold as the country's top-selling master-planned community six of the past seven years.
      "Normally, a response of 10 to 15 (percent) is considered excellent. The strong response is yet another testament of residents' overall satisfaction with Summerlin, particularly in light of the fact that respondents were not provided a reward or incentive to complete the survey."
      The survey also showed that more than 97 percent of respondents would recommend Summerlin to a friend, and more than 92 percent would consider buying another home in the community. The survey reflects the opinions of people who moved to Summerlin since 1997.
      More than 90 percent of residents who bought their homes before 1997 have been equally impressed by the community, according to Kaufmann.
      "The increasing approval rating speaks well of how Summerlin is evolving," he said. "The fulfillment of the community's master plan continues to add to Summerlin's appeal and popularity.
      "Once final figures are tallied, we expect 1999 to be no different. Summerlin should again eclipse the nation's other master-planned communities in terms of new-home sales."
      The top three factors influencing respondents' decisions to live in Summerlin were its master-planned environment, a sense of safety and security, and its overall attractiveness and quality of landscaping.
      Among the recreational amenities, walking and jogging trails ranked first in popularity with residents, who enjoy traversing the more than 40 completed miles of the planned 100-mile trail system. Playgrounds ranked second, and are featured among the community's nine major parks and 40 smaller parks. Golf courses, which include two Tournament Players Club courses, placed third. Seven courses have been completed; several more are planned.
      Representatives of Summerlin's developer, The Howard Hughes Corp., were delighted by the survey's findings.
      "We have endeavored to create in Summerlin an unparalleled living environment," Dan Van Epp, company president, said. "(We have) invested hundreds of millions of dollars and thousands of hours; we have hired the most visionary community planners and consultants; and we have listened carefully to our residents to develop an integrated community where residents of all ages and incomes can live, work, play, learn and grow."
      Summerlin, which started to take shape in 1990, has more than 45,000 residents. More than 10,000 people are employed in the community's schools, medical centers, retail centers and business parks. Of the planned 30 villages, half are in various stages of development.
      Housing ranges from single-family homes to townhomes and condominiums priced from the mid-$80,000s to more than $500,000. Custom lots from one-quarter acre to one-third acre are priced from $90,000 to $300,000, and predesigned custom homes are priced from $500,000 to more than $1 million. More than 250 model homes are open.
      To visit, take Summerlin Parkway to Town Center Drive and turn north, then turn east on Hillwood Drive. Or, take Sahara Avenue to Blue Willow Lane, past Hualapai Way, and turn south. Both offices are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Sunday, January 16, 2000 aPage 1M

Real Estate home