Crew: Sol 3

So, after spending the better part of the day yesterday looking at ranches, this is what I have come to.  Out of 17 builders I was only able to find 10 ranches that might fit the bill.  2 of which I have already been through.  Today I am going to call on these 10 ranches and see what kind of property they have.  If the lot sizes are to small, then that ranch gets tossed out on it's perverbial ear.  Here is the list as it stands right now in order of size:

• Brighton East Farms has a nice little ranch called the Tuscon that is 1858 sq.ft  It has an option for a 3 car garage, the bedrooms are away from the Master and it is only $215,995 base price!  The only bummer part appears to be that there is no bay window option for Katya and it doesn't have the split bathroom thing.  Other than that it looks promising.  Built by Pulte.
• Coyote Run (Mead) has a nice looking ranch called the Geneva Hill.  Base price is higher at $278,950.  It is 1964 sq.ft. and has a cute little courtyard, at least by the floor plans.  Master is away from the other two bedrooms, but still no split bath and no bay window.  (Note to self:  I am going to have to ask about that).  Built by Engle Homes
• The Preserve (Brighton) has a ranch called The Prairie that sounds wonderful.  Still no bay and no split bathroom but it is on a lot that is 11,237 sq.ft, shaped like a pie wedge.  has an extra room for a den/study/guest bedroom, but it has the smaller shower that Keith is opposed to.  The asking price is $248,450.  This home is built by Woodcrest.
• DRHorton has a home called the Maroon in a development named Marshal Lake (Thornton) .  It is 1945 sq ft. and starts at $274,950.  This house has pretty good sized secondary bedrooms with the biggest being 13'9" x 11'0".  This home has some serious possibilities.  It has a 3+ car garage, and the master suite is away from the kids rooms.  Still no split bathroom, but it does have the shower with the seat for my Hunka Burning Love.
• Here we are back at Brighton East Farms and another Pulte Home called The Brahms.  This one is 2091 sq ft.  Base price $232,879.  Has the 3 car option.  The biggest challenge that I see with this one is that the bedrooms are all in a row with only the corner of the master closet seperating the Master from a kids room.  It does however have the split bath that the kids (Katya) are looking for.  Who knows. it may work.  It does look like it has a lovely porch out front.
• This is another DRHorton.  This one is in Raspberry Hill (Firestone).  It is called the Harvard and comes in at 2142 sq.ft.  Again with the bedrooms in a row, BUT the Master is seperated from the other bedrooms by the master bath (and yes, the shower has a seat) and the walk in closet.  I could live happily with that.  It also has an extra room right by the front door that could be set up as a study!  Exellent!
• The Maroon by Standard Pacific in Turnberry (Commerce City).  I talked about this one in my first post on the houses so you'll just have to go back and read it.  The advertising blurb reads:  A specious ranch with an open floor plan.  A huge great room boasts a 3-sided fireplace which also opens to the kitchen and the breakfast nook.  Master bedroom with optional door to the back patio.  5 piece Master bath has a oval soaking tub.  Private hall leads to 2 additional bedrooms (one with a bay window) and a full bath (not split).  Oversized to car garage, and an optional full size basement.  The base price only $273,660 for 2219 sq. ft..
• Monarch Estates' Castle Peak is the other one that I talked about in my first home entry.  This is just cool.  It is about $290,000 but has pretty much all of the options that we would put in a house anyways.  Unfortunately, it doesn't have the split bathroom and no bay window.  It is on a 7200 sq.ft. lot, and has a wonderful porch.  It also has the Master away from the other bedrooms and has a study.  It is 2251 sq.ft.
• Last, but certainly not the least is the Silver Pine by Beazer Homes.  It is located in Buckley Ranch (Commerce City).  Has a 3+ car garage and is  2528 sq. ft. and has the shower in the Master Bathroom that Keith wants.  It has the split bath that the Katya wants, and two very good sized bedrooms for them that are seperated from the Master.  It has the additional study and lots of extras.  Sounds great right?  I mean really, this looks (at least on paper) like the house of our dreams.  Has almost everything on the list except for the Bay Window.  Here is the hitch.  Base price is $313,900, that is before the hardwood floors, before the carpet upgrade, before the delux kitchen option.  Oh well, can't really have it all, right?

I just realized that I forgot a major homebuilder in my search.  So, I am off to look up Oakwood Homes and see if they might have something in the area we want to be in AND that is right for our family.  Wish me luck!