Build on your lot in Mills Ranch Subdivision

Travel South on Quivira, pass over 159th St. and go just beyond Mills Farm you will find Mills Ranch; Matt Adam's newest high-end subdivision.

Conveniently located a few blocks from the new Blue Valley Southwest High School and the Aubrey Bend Middle school, Mills Ranch will be a relatively small "boutique" neighborhood of only 78 luxury single family homes clustered in two different price points, the Manor with homes from $600,000 - $1.0 million and the Estates with homes from $850,000- $2.0 million.

Covenant Custom Homes is pleased to announce that we have secured three fabulous Estate lots, Lots 9, 10, and 3. All of our lots are cull de sac lots that back to permanent green space. These three building sites can accommodate wide house plans, 4+ garages and even swimming pools for those who desire it.

Mills Ranch will offer a private luxury neighborhood pool and recreation area and beautiful bronze sculpture in conjunction with a dramatic entry monument.

We would love the opportunity to show you our fabulous lots and just why we think that Mills Ranch will be one of Southern Overland park's premier addresses.

To be seen in Arbor View

What used to seem far away suddenly seems close. Just hop off the Alt. 69 highway at 179th and head west and a couple of miles down the road you will come upon the Arbor View subdivision. 

This beautiful Matt Adam neighborhood is nestled around Blue Valley's newest grade school, Wolf Springs Elementary. When completed Arbor View will have just 129 single family homes, a beautifully appointed pool and community lake.

While Arbor View has been going for a few years now, it has only recently taken off as one of Southern Johnson County's hottest subdivisions. Covenant Custom Homes currently has two spec homes underway, the first of which will be completed in early Spring.

Covenant's president Michael Menghini says that he's particularly excited about Arbor View because the company is introducing an innovative new plan known as the Greenwich which is a story and half plan with a giant entertainment loft and 5 bedrooms and 6 baths.

Michael went on to say that, "while Arbor View seems like it's pretty far South it is literally just a 5-7 min. drive from shopping, restaurants and the new Shawnee Mission Health Center on 165th and Alt. 69.

We invite all our readers to come out and see if Arbor View just might be the neighborhood for you.

Big Builder or Little Builder-What You Say?

Here in the Kansas City area we have a handful of builders who could be characterized as “Big Builders.” We are talking about companies who construct more than 50-60 single family homes a year.  These companies are typically building on both sides of the state line and are well spread out in all directions and in a range of prices.  The common denominators of these large unit companies is that they have large administrative teams and good purchasing power.  There is nothing inherently wrong with large volume builders but there are definite trade offs in personal attention.

On the other hand you have small builders who are typically building a few homes up to a couple of dozen homes. Naturally, there are a few medium builders with volume in between. Covenant Custom Homes is definitely in the ranks of small builders. Depending on the year, we typically can handle about one dozen projects.  Could we build more, yes we could but only at the expense of our customers.

We are, I am pleased to say, a true custom builder. That means we never build the same house twice. Our clients take their own custom plans or adapt of our’s.

Before any ground is broken, we have typically worked and reworked every plan for months. We have listened, provided ideas, suggestions and offered multiple options for the cost/benefit of many different products and methods.

Now, the average new in the Overland Park area is about $450,000. Our average home is nearly twice that. That’s not to say we couldn’t build a $450,000 home but we can not afford to divert our attention away from our client’s projects because they are too grand and detailed. They require attention every single day and that means from the builder not a hired hand.

Some folks might be concerned that our lower unit volume would render us noncompetitive in the marketplace of labor and materials. Fortunately, that is not the case, as we are founding members of the Affiliated Builders Purchasing Group. We are one of 18 builders (small, medium and large) in the Kansas City market who pool our purchases for almost every product and services that goes into your new home. We can say unequivocally that we buy at prices at least as good as any large volume builder. In fact ABG is together the largest builder in the KC Metro.

The Transition to "Transitional"

The Covenant Custom Homes design team has been recognized as a leader in the new ‘transitional” home design.  Transitional design has been characterized as a perfect balance of new modern and classic tradition. Clean, crisp lines, restrained color and a near total avoidance of embellishment and excess.  Michael Menghini, Covenant’s President recently remarked “that every single spec. home we have built in the last three years has been a transitional design and they have all sold quickly.”  He went on to say that “in Overland Park and Leawood new home buyers have moved on from Tuscan, Country French and American Classic design and fully embraced the “Transitional design modtif.”

Ready Set Move

Make it Move in Ready

The last thing a perspective home buyer wants is to see significant flaws in your home; Before any home is put on the market it needs to go through a reasonable quality inspection.  Repairs need to be made to insure your home shows as “new” as possible.

Keep It Cozy

Make sure your home appears to be warm and cozy for every showing.   If you have a fireplace it will look even better if it is lit.  Do not forget to turn lights on (inside and out), so that your home looks even move inviting.

Keep It Clean

It is critical for every showing that your home be “picked up”, neat and clean.  That means no dishes in the sink, stuff on the counters or mess in the kids rooms.

If you follow these simple tips for selling your home it should make the process much easier.  If you are interested in talking about a new home make sure you contact Covenant Custom Homes.

Getting Your Home Ready To Sell-(Winter Addition)

Most people in the market for a new home will likely have an existing home to sell first.  Re-sale homes in Overland Park, Leawood, and Southern Johnson County will typically sell quickly if the sellers follow a few critical steps in preparing their home for sale.  The building professionals at Covenant Custom Homes are pretty savvy in selling new homes and have been involved in helping our clients prepare their existing homes for sale in this highly competitive market.  It can not be overstated, that the Southern Johnson County as well as Leawood and Overland Park buyers are experienced and demanding; and have higher expectations than the typical home buyer.  With this in mind let us offer a few suggestions that will shorten the days on the market and might even increase the sales price of your current home.

Curb Appeal

Even in winter curb appeal is critical so make sure the grass is trimmed, yard debris is picked up and that ice and snow are removed from driveways and walks.

Pass The Smell Test

Every home has its own unique smell and if it is not a pleasant one you will suffer a big negative.  During the winter season when homes are closed up the odors from cooking, pets and carpets can be particularly problematic.  Locate the source of unpleasant odors and address it before showings.  Make sure carpets and upholstery are cleaned and deodorized.

Artisan Tour Model

This past weekend we at Covenant Homes opened our exciting new “Artisan Tour” model home at  16105 Century Street  in the Summerwood Subdivision.

The Artisan Tour consists of 10 fabulous upper end furnished homes that can be toured for a nominal fee.  The profit from tour tickets is going to Ronald McDonald House at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.

Not only are we excited to unveil our newest model but we are humbled to have been invited to participate as an inugural builder in the first ever Kansas City Artisan Tour.  Our in house design team has gone over the top in creating a home that is innovative, fresh and beautiful while at the same time being a family home that is entirely livable.

Anyone anticipating a new home build in the next few years will be richly rewarded with a cornucopia of taste and design to help get those creative juices flowing.  Perhaps. most importantly the Artisan Tour presents a wonderful way to support the invaluable work of the Ronald McDonald House.  We hope to see you all at our new furnished model during the next we

Mills Crossing Update

It appears that the 26 new lots in phase I of Mills Crossing (159th & Switzer, Overland Park) will be available April 1st.  We were shooting for December 1st but rain and cold had their effect causing this delay.  A few builders including Covenant Custom Homes have already placed 21 of the 26 lots under contract. We have selected five lots and have a build job, a spec home and a new model in the design phase and expect to break ground on all three in April.  We expect that a few families will be moving to Mills Crossing in the fall of 2015.  The expectation is that homes will vary from Reverse story and half, to Story and a half to Two story plans.  Prices should start in the low $600,000’s to about $1.0 million.

Another Award Winning Home

Covenant Custom Homes is most pleased to announce that we were chosen as the spring Parade of Homes, Grand Award Runner Up.  This is on the heels of winning the Grand Award last year.

The beautiful and innovative model home is in the Summerwood Estates subdivision in Southern Overland Park at 159th and Quivira.  The home boasts 4 bedrooms and 5 1/2 baths, a 4 car garage, a fantastic covered lanai and fire pit and backs to green space.

Don't Fall Behind This Fall

The cold weather is fast approaching so that means homeowners have a few chores to tend to in order for their homes to be ready for winter.  Here is a brief check list.

-Heating systems should be professionally inspected.

-Furnace filters should be cleaned or replaced.

-Chimney’s on wood burning fireplaces should be cleaned and inspected.

-After the leaves finish dropping have the gutters cleaned out.

-Also remove leaves from window wells, so the drains are clean.

-Turn off & drain outside faucets.

-Drain hoses and store inside.

-Check and repair as required caulking around doors & windows.

-Seal concrete driveways and walkways.

-Cracks and/or pitting in concrete should be filled.

-Do not use salts or ice melt products on driveways or walkways that are less than six months old.

-Turn off and winterize lawn irrigation systems.

-Mulch perennialsflowers.

-Cover or bring inside all flower pots.

-Replace dead trees (Do not wait for Spring.)

Start your winter off the right way and you can save yourself on costly home repairs.

Shedding Light on the Artisan Model Tour

One of the most exciting aspects of our new model home constructed for the Artisan Homes Tour is the lighting design.  Featuring more than 40 light fixtures and ceiling fans our Artisan model is similar to visiting a local light showroom.

We would be remiss if we did not mention the close collaboration and wonderful service provided by Wilson Lighting, who provided all of the lighting.  In particular, we want to thank George McMillin of Wilson Lighting who “baby sat” us through this most demanding project; thank you George!

In our experience, there are few aspects that are as critical in establishing a mood and a design vernacular as is lighting design.  This is more than selecting a beautiful fixture, it goes to the very essence of creating interest and drama through light and shadow.  At Covenant Custom Homes we take lighting design very seriously.  The creative use of light, reflection and shadow are aspects that are designed into our architectural planning process.  Putting just the right amount of light in exactly the right places is one of those rare aspects that sets our homes apart form the rest.  Again, thank you Wilson Lighting for your assistance with our fabulous Artisan Tour model.

New Siena Model

Well, we are about 60 days from completing our new Siena of Leawood model home.  We can hardly contain our excitement as this fabulous project comes together.  All  7,500 sq. ft. on 3 levels is laden with innovative and creative functionality and design.

Our chief designer Pat has gone all out in “layering” design details that are truly unique.  The color palette is neutral but still slightly on the warm side. As many of you know the interior color palettes have changed to lighter and brighter.  This home features a white painted kitchen that helps give the home a transitional look.

The plan right now is to be on the Spring Parade of Homes Tour which will be April 25-May 10.  Should we make it to the Homes Tour then I guarantee a fantastic experience to all who may visit this fantastic home.

Exciting New Homes Tour

Your building professionals at Covenant Custom Homes are excited  and just a little bit proud to have been invited to participate in Kansas City’s first ever “Artisan Tour.” Sponsored by the Kansas City Home Builders Association (HBA) a select few builders will build and furnish high end luxury homes and open them to the public for viewing.  Unlike the annual “Parade of Homes” the Artisan Tour homes will be available for a two week period.  Tickets to tour all eleven homes will be available online for $25 or at the door for $30, with individual homes available to tour for $10 each  Proceeds from the Artisan Tour will benefit the HBA Foundation and Ronald McDonald House charity.

The Covenant Custom Homes entry has just completed framing and is located in the Summerwood Estates subdivision at 159th and Quivira in South Overland Park.  Our design team is working diligently on creating a unique and innovative “design story” that will surely wow everyone who visits.  The Artisan Tour will be held from September 12 – September 20; which gives us just 7 months to complete one of our most complex model homes that we’ve done.

While we don’t want to release specifics about our design details just yet, we can tell you that our Artisan Tour home will be detailed to the max!  In fact, Covenant Custom Homes has built a reputation on layering level upon level of architectural and design details in every custom home we build.   We can guarantee that no one will be disapointed with the extensive assortment of features and the high level of design we will reveal through this awesome new home.  So please mark your calendars for September 12 – September 20 for the Artisan Tour.

Best of Houzz Award 2014

Covenant Custom Homes of Overland Park Receives

Houzz’s 2014 ‘Best Of Houzz’ Award

Annual Survey and Analysis of 11 Million Monthly Users

 Reveals Top-Rated U.S. Professionals

 Palo Alto, California–  February 4,  2014– Covenant Custom Homes of Overland Park, Kansas has been awarded“Best Of Houzz” 2014 by Houzz, the leading online platform for residential remodeling and design. The family owned custom home builder in the Kansas City metro area was chosen by the more than 11 million monthly users that comprise the Houzz community.

The Houzz “Best Of Houzz” award for 2013 is given in two categories: Customer Satisfaction and Design. Customer Satisfaction award winners are based on homeowner members who rated their experience working with remodeling professionals in 12 categories ranging from architects, and interior designers to contractors and other residential remodeling professionals.  Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the community of 11 million monthly users, also known as “Houzzers,” who saved more than 124 million professional images of home interiors and exteriors to their personal ideabooks via the Houzz site, iPad/iPhone app and Android app.

“Houzz provides our customers a great tool to express the vision for their home,” said Michael Menghini, President of Covenant Custom Homes.

“Houzz provides homeowners with an in-depth, 360-degree view of building, remodeling and design professionals through images of their work, reviews and an opportunity to interact with them directly in the Houzz community,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of community. “We’re delighted to recognize Covenant Custom Homes among our “Best Of” professionals for exceptional customer service as judged by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts who are actively remodeling and decorating their homes.”

With Houzz, homeowners can identify not only the top-rated professionals like Covenant Custom Homes, but also those whose work matches their own aspirations for their home. Homeowners can also evaluate professionals by contacting them directly on the Houzz platform, asking questions about their work and evaluating their responses to questions from others in the Houzz community.