Across the country, home prices continue to drop – but did you know that the median new home price in Reno hasn’t changed for the past seven months? According to the Reno/Sparks Association of Realtors November monthly report, the median price of resale homes has hovered between $149,000 and $154,000 since May of 2011. That could mean that in the northern Nevada area, we may soon see prices begin to climb. You never know!

How does that affect you as a buyer? If you’re hoping to buy in this region, now may be the best time to take advantage of low home prices, while they’re still low. We recommend you take a look at La Tierra at Miramonte, a community of Reno new homes with prices in the high $100,000s. These are quality family homes, ready for move in and located in a scenic, elevated area of Reno. Oh, and there’s more: For a limited time only, buyers at La Tierra can receive a free cruise for two!

Again, prices are low now…but who knows for how long? To learn more about La Tierra, call (775) 626-7885, visit the La Tierra at Miramonte new homes in person at 2797 Earthstone Dr., Sparks, NV 89436.

If you’re looking for the classiest townhomes in Southern California, why would you go anywhere but San Diego County? Even master planned communities like Otay Ranch have pockets of San Diego townhomes that are ideal for buyers who just want to find something a little more special than the average townhome. For instance, there’s Avalon at Otay Ranch, an enclave of appealing townhomes built by the Sunrise Company.

Avalon is a great choice if you’re downsizing, yes – but it’s also perfect for apartment dwellers going for that step up. It’s ideal for couples, small families and singles of all ages. Where in San Diego County is it? Otay Ranch is Chula Vista’s number one master planned community, so yes; you can find Avalon in the city of Chula Vista.

When you get there, expect to see:

• New townhomes, with one and two story floorplans
• Square footage that ranges from 1,163 to 1,621
• Two and three bedroom models
• A low maintenance townhome lifestyle
• Optional great rooms and master suites

Avalon at Otay Ranch new homes are really perfect for the discerning townhome buyer. To see these San Diego townhomes in person, call (619) 397-5890 or avalonsales@sunrise.com.

You resolved to find a new home in the new year; so, are you ready to get going on finding it? Of course you are! Come home to Terraza at Otay Ranch, an intimate enclave of 85 two and three-story single-family homes designed in the rich tradition of Irving Gill, Italian Tuscan and Santa Barbara architecture. If we didn’t have you at “three story,” perhaps the words “private courtyard” will do the trick? We thought so!

Of course, that’s not all; the homes of Terraza are outfitted with impressive stone work, elegant wrought iron and plaster detailing. And in the phase two homes, which will be released soon, the new two-story floorplans will range from approximately 1,966 to 2,833 square feet with 3 to 5 bedrooms.  Residence Two can have a bedroom on the first floor, if you want. Move-ins are currently being planned for the fall, so if you don’t mind waiting a few more months for the home of your dreams, then this plan may be worth looking into. Of course, there are plenty of ready to move in homes available as well, both two and three story models.

To see Terraza for yourself, contact the Sunrise Company at (619) 591-7040 or e-mail sbakehorn@sunrise.com – or, just stop by to visit the models daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Terraza at Otay Ranch is a community of Chula Vista new homes that may be exactly what you need – “the one!”

If you’re tired of getting lost in a sea of new homes as you scour the listings, we hope to have your final stop right here: Villas de Avila. Inspired by a rocky hilltop in Spain, Avila is a community that uniquely reflects both traditional American ideals and old world European grace. Fortunately, you don’t need to go far to find it, either; it’s located right in Chula Vista, in the prestigious Otay Ranch community.

Built by Pacific Coast Communities, Avila was designed with a buyer like you in mind – one that wants quality, customizable options, and a lifestyle you can fully embrace. Here at Avila, you can choose your own materials for a variety of the home’s features, both cosmetic and functional. As for bells and whistles, there are columns, porches, courtyards…everything you need to feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Plus, you can own at Avila for the very accessible price in the mid $200,000s.

If these Chula Vista new homes are what you need to end your homebuying search, stop in to visit the neighborhood at 1556 Corte Barcelona, Chula Vista, CA 91913 or call (619) 565-2635 and e-mail at villas@pcc-heritage.com for more information.

It’s a new year, and there’s a new phase…of high quality Chula Vista new homes, that is! If you love to check out new home community phases, then why not take a look at the latest phase to be released at Santa Barbara new homes? This neighborhood, located in the admired, master-planned Otay Ranch community, released a new phase as 2011 came to a close – and lucky for you, there are still a few homes left!

These three to six bedroom homes, ranging up to 3,232 square feet, are decked to the max with gourmet kitchens (large pantries included!), open foyers that practically exude prestige and spacious bedrooms to accommodate large families. Plus, they’re appointed with value-added features like turrets, balconies and impressive exterior stonework – yes, fairy tale features!

Priced from the $400,000s, these homes are ready to move in if you’re the right kind of buyer. Could you be? Find out by stopping into Santa Barbara at Otay Ranch, located at 1717 Thompson Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91913, or by calling (619) 482-0845 and e-mailing at santabarbara@pcc-heritage.com with your questions.

If you’re looking for something a little more private and exclusive, then a community-within-a-community situation may be ideal (after all, it’s what the celebrities do!). For those of us who need something a little more accessible than what the stars have, there are master planned communities like Otay Ranch, where dozens of smaller communities are hidden on the premises so that families like yours can feel secure – like you deserve.

One such community is Monet at Otay Ranch, a quaint villa neighborhood nestled in the Village of Hillsborough in Otay Ranch (like we said, it’s a community-within-a-community). At Monet, there are porches, white picket fences, private courtyards, and French Country architecture that welcome you as you walk down interior paseos to access your new home. The homes of Monet range from a 1,000 square feet cozy carriage home to a 1,368 square feet two-story villa, and they feature two to three bedrooms, two to two-and-one-half baths and one to two-car garages. Here’s a bonus: Garages are accessed by private rear lanes!

Inside, there are plenty of luxurious touches and customizable options. Speaking of options, you have one that is available only to residents: the Hillsborough Swim Club, a private aquatics facility with a Jr. Olympic pool and children’s wading pool.

And here’s the best news: Monet at Otay Ranch new homes are available from the $100,000s! Check out this Pacific Coast Communities neighborhood at 1424 Water Lily Drive, Chula Vista, CA 91913, or call (619) 421-6079 to speak with the sales office.

As you continue to look at Chula Vista new homes that may meet your needs, some will make the cut for your short list and others won’t. One that should definitely make the next cut is Casitas de Avila, a community of affordable San Diego County homes built by Heritage Building and Development.

Here, the neighborhood is virtually timeless – and the homes aren’t bad either. Actually, the homes are fabulous! With your choice of two and or three story homes, there is so much to love here, like square foot ranges that go all the way to 2,198 square feet, and bedroom counts that range from three to seven – yes, seven!

You may think that a home of this caliber would be in a sky high price range; fortunately, you’d be wrong! Casitas de Avila is available for as little as the high $200,000s. That’s a great price for a large, beautiful home in San Diego County. If it sounds like a bargain you’d like to take advantage of, contact the Casitas de Avila new home sales office at 619.934.4618, casitas@heritage-build.com or visit 1536 Avenida Merida, Chula Vista, CA 91913. The sales team will be glad to help you explore your options.

There’s always a curiosity factor when visiting a different city or state, one that prompts many tourists to say, “What would it be like to live here?” In Las Vegas, that’s certainly the case; in fact, it’s not unheard of for people to visit for a new year’s celebration and become interested in looking at homes while there. If you were in the lit-up city of Vegas for New Year’s, perhaps you experienced this. If so, we hope you visited Northern Terrace in Providence.

If not, you missed out – on a community of Las Vegas new homes, including ready to move in homes, that are available in just 30 days’ time. These two story homes feature beautiful beech wood cabinetry, two-tone interior paint, and a self-rimming stainless steel kitchen sink – quality materials throughout every home. Plus, residents of Northern Terrace in Providence all enjoy neighborhood enjoy unlimited access to The Club at Northern Terrace, the recreational complex that includes three pools, a spa, BBQ and play areas, fitness center, entertainment great room and more.

To inquire about Northern Terrace in Providence, call Warmington Residences at (702) 395-1308 or toll free at (877) 930-5599. The team at Providence will be glad to show this community to you!

There are some townhome communities that are just too big. Whether it’s for safety reasons, or just for the purpose of being able to find your home easily at night, maybe you’d rather look at townhomes where there are fewer units. If so, you may be a fan of Buttercup Creek Townhomes, a townhome community in Cedar Park, Texas.

Here, there are only 69 townhome units, situated amidst a tranquil setting of mature trees and plenty of open space. That means increased safety and easier navigation – for you, and your guests! If you’ve never heard of Cedar Park, it’s an attractive Austin suburb that’s conveniently located near restaurants, shopping and entertainment. It’s even just minutes away from Austin Community College!

Playgrounds, parks and schools…everything a family needs to feel at home is right near Buttercup Creek Townhomes. Many of today’s families are downsizing, or single parent households; a townhome can accommodate those situations beautifully, and there are few townhomes as nice as Buttercup Creek (plus, they’re affordably priced in the low $100,000s). To see these Cedar Park townhomes in person, stop by Buttercup Creek at 401 Buttercup Creek Blvd., Cedar Park, Texas 78613, or call (512) 331-4836 for details.

There’s a lot of talk about America becoming a “European society”; for some people, that’s actually a welcome reality, at least in terms of aesthetics. Those people may appreciate a neighborhood like Valencia at Del Sur, a California West Communities neighborhood that was inspired by its namesake on the Mediterranean coast. How is this inspiration evident? Through the open air living room, the outdoor Del Sur room and entertaining spaces that flow from the kitchen all the way outside. Through the gathering spaces that are the highlight of the home. Now that’s European.

Of course, having lots of space is an all-American value feature too. Fortunately, Valencia at Del Sur has it. The footprint ranges here are 2,996-3,495 square feet, with up to 6 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. There’s an optional downstairs bedroom, too, and an optional office or tech space. Priced from the high $600,000s, these San Diego new homes are worth every penny.

To inquire about touring the homes of Valencia at Del Sur, contact the sales office at (858) 367-8720, from the hours of Monday: 1pm-5pm Monday, Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm. Address and directions will be provided at that time.