JUNE 13, 2019
Long before I was in real estate, I was infatuated with visiting model homes in new subdivisions that were being built. The staging, the backyard landscaping, the kitchens and bathrooms and the designer touches throughout just made the creative side of me excited (nerdy I know). My grown kids still complain about all the times I “forced” them to visit model homes with me while living in Tucson.
So when the opportunity to get a private tour of the new homes being built by Lennar Homes in Santa Paula was offered, I jumped at the opportunity! The official name of the community is Harvest at Limoneira. Currently, there are two builders building homes there, Lennar and KB Homes; with additional builders joining in the future. The community is just east of Santa Paula, near the intersection of Highway 126 and Hallock Dr.
The location of the community is awesome. From all parts of the community you have mountain views in two directions. I don’t have all of the details on what the future plans for the community are, but what they’ve done so far is impressive. The Farmhouse is a community center for all the residents that live in the community. It features a pool, a spa, a gym, a yoga studio, a computer room (with computers for residents to use), kids play area, BBQ’s, tables, gardens (where fresh herbs and vegetables are being grown for the residents’ use!), citrus, avocado and olive trees (for the residents to use!) and so much more. You get a real sense of what the community will be like moving forward. The Farmhouse should be your first stop when you head over to take a look at the model homes.
Lennar is offering two different home types here. Vinelands are cluster homes. There is a “pod” of four homes connected. The walls of the homes are not shared, but the outside of your neighbor’s home is the lot line for your yard. They feel more private than a condo or town house, but you are close to your neighbor. These come with private yards, but they are small. Orchard Heights are a more traditional single family home, with reasonably sized yards.
Lennar markets itself as a builder where everything is included. Meaning there’s no need for the expensive upgrades that some builders lure you into purchasing after seeing their highly updated model homes. From what I saw, that is mostly true. The one upgrade that we saw throughout the 7 different models from Lennar, was the flooring. The kitchens and baths include granite countertops with a backsplash. The kitchen includes upgraded stainless steel appliances like a slide-in range (google it) and refrigerator (most builders do not include a fridge), good sized pantry and an island with room for stools. The coolest thing is that all of their homes are “smart” homes. They come with an Amazon Echo Show that can control your thermostat, wall dimmers, front door lock, Ring® video doorbell, smart garage door opener and so many other things (you can even install blinds that go up and down with a verbal command to Alexa!). Wi-Fi routers (Brocade® Ruckus® 12-port switch) are included upstairs and downstairs, already installed, that Lennar claims eliminates dead spots throughout the home. Some of the other things I liked about their homes: every floor plan has a downstairs bedroom and full bath, large laundry rooms with storage, tall ceilings, open floor plans, each floor plan has a loft upstairs, large kitchens, dual vanities in the master bath and separate shower and bathtub in the master baths.
Nothing is perfect in this world, so here’s a few things to consider. There are HOA fees and melloroos for the entire community (although the melloroos are less than some other communities in Ventura County). Lennar’s everything is included philosophy means you have less choices for cabinet and countertop styles and colors. Many of the upgrades that you might have the option to purchase with other builders don’t exist (because it’s already included, and Lennar has chosen the style/color). The community is brand new and the builders are still trying to figure out pricing. KB (the other builder in the community currently) has already dropped prices due to a slow start. The community’s somewhat rural location may be a turn off to some.
My overall opinion of Harvest at Limoneira is this: If you are considering purchasing a home, and brand new is attractive to you, give Harvest at Limoneira a visit. The community amenities, the lower cost versus some of the other new home communities in the county and the “everything’s included” Lennar offers far outweigh any of the potential shortcomings.
https://BuyandSellwithZell/contact-me
One last thing, make sure that you take your real estate agent (if you don’t have one, we’d be happy to assist you) with you on your FIRST visit. Even if you’re just looking. Here’s why: If you go without one, regardless if you’re “just looking”, the builder will not honor your relationship with your Realtor® and they will not pay their commission on the sale. Additionally, they won’t be discounting the price any. The sales people are really nice and will act like they’re on your side, but they represent the builder, not you. Their fiduciary duty is to the builder only, shouldn’t you have someone looking out for your best interests?
Brian Zell REALTOR®
The Mashburn Zell Group 