Neighborhood of the week: Architerra at Foxtail

If you aren't familiar with Architerra Homes yet, you're in for a treat when you visit its model home at Foxtail, in Post Falls. When you walk into an Architerra home, you'll immediately notice the Architerra Difference.

Being a new homebuilder in this area, Architerra "needs to tell people what we represent," said Allen Dykes, COO of Architerra Homes. Architerra Homes doesn't just think of itself as a home builder; it strives to create neighborhoods of enduring value where people want to live.

Started in 2013, Foxtail is located on Poleline Avenue to the east of Highway 41, an area that is still relatively undeveloped. Sweeping mountain and prairie views contribute to the feeling of living in the country, although you're only 15 minutes away from the multitude of services and options in downtown Coeur d'Alene, the Spokane Valley Mall and Hayden.

The original plan for Foxtail accommodated 1,000 homes, said Taylor Fore, a Realtor with Century 21 Beutler & Associates. But Architerra has chosen to modify the existing site plan to make living in Foxtail more enjoyable for its residents. The current master plan is for more than 800 homes, with wider lots and more green space. It includes a section dedicated for an elementary school, a large city park and extensive walking trails. A 2.5-acre community park will also be added throughout the next phase.

There are 25 lots in the current phase of Foxtail, with 50 more planned in the next phase, which should break ground in the fall. Future phases will offer some lots large enough to accommodate shops; all lots currently on the market are suitable for homes with basements. Architerra is also considering including a 55+ community in a future phase of Foxtail.

"We're always going to be evolving and changing," Dykes said.

One of the pillars of Architerra Homes is customer service; the customer is at the core of everything it does. It believes that a one-on-one commitment is not only valuable, but is an obligation between Architerra and its customer.

"We are committed to a one-on-one relationship with our homeowners," Dykes said. Every homeowner in Foxtail receives a personal call from the chief operating officer within three days of signing their contract, welcoming them to the Architerra family. Homeowners will also have a direct relationship with the individual responsible for their home being built, Dykes said. "We want to make the experience fun and a positive experience."

"Creating neighborhoods of enduring value where people want to live," is one of its company pillars. Neighborhoods that focus on how people live, with features such as parks, play areas, open green spaces, schools, trails, and walking paths. It embraces innovation in the form of technology, house design, land development and new products that will ultimately result in an enhanced customer experience. It strives to ensure that quality is infused throughout everything it does.

Architerra strives to build a reasonably priced home that offers the homeowner value while not requiring a long list of upgrades to make the home one that they would be proud to own, Dykes said. It offers a very high spec level, comparable to homes that list for a much higher price. Features in its standard package are often upgrades with other builders.

"We don't want people to move into their home and not be able to afford to make it their own," Dykes said.

"Vaulted ceilings are definitely a staple for who they are," Fore added. "They are willing to give up square footage to open up the space and make the living area more enjoyable."

Architerra has its own in-house architectural team, constantly working on new floor plans. You can choose from one of 18 plans, with 2-3 more currently in development. Many feature the great room concept, combining the kitchen, dining and family room; more traditional plans with a formal dining room are available, as well. Other standard features include laminate flooring, high efficiency furnaces, spacious closets, wide hallways, a kitchen pantry, and a deep sink in the utility room.

"We are committed to bringing something different to our local market," Dykes said.

Architerra welcomes customization, Fore said. It is willing to modify any of its floor plans to meet the needs of its customers. Its in-house sales team can typically turn around such requests in one business day. It wants people to make their home uniquely theirs.

Homeowners can select from a variety of different exterior and interior color schemes and features, including granite countertops, interior and exterior paint, lighting and plumbing fixtures. Higher ceilings and increased windows contribute to the availability of natural light. Main floor ceilings are 9-foot minimum, with signature vaulted ceilings in key areas, so even single-story homes look and feel bigger. A commitment to bringing in natural light is evidenced by Architerra's inclusion of numerous oversized windows throughout the home. The interiors have been specially designed by Lake Forest Interiors in Hayden.

"We do the little things to make our homes feel different," Dykes said.

Front yards are landscaped and include sprinklers. Covered front porch and back patios extend your living space; most plans include a covered rear patio. Exterior paint colors were created for Architerra Homes by an award-winning and internationally respected design firm. Exteriors feature HardiePlank siding and masonry touches; you can even have the garage door painted to match your color scheme.

Prices for lot and home packages in Foxtail range from $210,000 to $270,000. The homeowners association helps to protect the value of your home, with dues of $200/year that cover maintenance of the green space, walking trails, and community and pocket parks scattered throughout the neighborhood.

It is currently taking lot reservations, Fore said. A $500 fully refundable deposit will hold your dream lot for 30 days; the deposit can then be applied to the purchase price.

There are three spec homes available for purchase, with two more under construction, Fore said. If you call today, you can still choose your own color schemes and feature packages.

Architerra tries to source as many local products and trades as possible. "We're a local homebuilder, trying to do things differently," Dykes said.

It has created special programs with two different lenders to give Architerra homebuyers a definite competitive advantage. They lie within the USDA footprint, opening special loan options for qualified applicants.

It offer the nationally recognized HBW 2-10 warranty, which includes a 10-year structural, 2-year mechanical warranty and 1-year workmanship warranty.

Architerra is currently creating a design center at its main office in Riverstone, where homeowners can meet with a representative and select their particular color schemes and features. The projected completion date is July 2015. And watch for its new community, The Trails, scheduled to break ground later this year in Coeur d'Alene.

So, if you can picture yourself living in Foxtail in an Architerra home, call Taylor Fore at (208) 270-4987 or Allen Dykes at (208) 440-0156, or visit the website at www.myarchiterra.com, for more information. The model home at 4785 E. Fennec Fox Lane in Post Falls is open Thursday through Monday from 12-5 p.m., or by appointment.

If there's a neighborhood that you would like to see featured in this series, please contact Beth Hanggeli at (208) 659-8367 or bhanggeli@cdapress.com.