Article appeared in Las Vegas Review Journal and Las Vegas Sun
on Saturday, July 26, 2003

First-Time Homebuyer Picks Silverado Place:

Neighborhood's location, designs, desert landscape inspire purchase

Denise Zaferatos said it wasn't a difficult choice to trade a half-mile commute to work for her dream home. She recently purchased her first home at Astoria Homes' Silverado Place in the southeastern valley.

"Once I had made the decision to buy a house, it was a short search," she said. "I stopped looking when I saw the homes at Astoria's Silverado Place."

Attractive interest rates, along with the privacy gained from leaving an apartment, influenced her decision. She said she only looked in the southeastern valley because that's where her parents and grandparents live.

"There were so few new home options in this price range, so I was skeptical that I would find something that I would really like. But I fell in love with this house the moment I saw it. It has everything I was looking for and the price was great," she said.

Zaferatos purchased a 520 design, a two-story home with two bedrooms, a loft and 2 1/2 baths. Additionallly, the home came with a washer, dryer and refrigerator, and it was wired for an alarm system.

"This was my first new home, so the appliances and the landscaped courtyard were big selling points for me," Zaferatos said. "I love that I have plants and landscpaing without a lot of yard work to do and without the expense and waste of watering grass."

All homes within the neighborhood are Energy star labeled, certifying they are at least 30 percent more energy efficient than homes built to the Model Energy Code. Energy-efficient features include specially engineered heating and cooling sytems, tightly sealed ducts, and spectrally-selective windows that block infrared and ultraviolet rays.

"It's just a great perk to find a home you love for a great price in a good area, and on top of everything else, save money on gas and electric," she said.

Homes range from 1,138 to 1,285 sqare feet and are priced from the $130,000s.

Neighborhood amenities include pools, playgrounds, a basketball half-court and covered picnic areas.

Silverado Place was the first of the builder's "Triumph Neighborhoods" series.

To vistit, take Interstate 215 to Eastern Avenue, go south to Silverado Ranch Boulevard, drive west to Bermuda Road and follow the signs.