No neighbors, no neighborhood

First residents of Henderson development hope slump won’t dash their dreams

Steve Marcus

Inspirada, near Anthem in Henderson, was envisioned as a 13,500-home, 2,000-acre New Urbanist community where people could walk to parks, schools and a casino, but the housing slump has called into question the commitment of developers and buyers and perhaps lowered the value of some of the homes by about $100,000.

By Mike Trask (contact)

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Steve Marcus

Homeowners, from left, Lacey Hawk, Cynthia McCarty and Nicci Imbert walk through an Inspirada neighborhood Thursday. Construction of the first phase is ongoing. Next up is another section of residences, to be followed by commercial buildings.

So much land, but so few buyers (7-15-2007)
Quick rebound for housing (1-08-2007)

Redesigning new homes for affordability (8-07-2007)
Credit crunch hurts housing 8-03-2007

Gilles and Nicci Imbert moved from Paris, France, into the brand-new Inspirada community two months ago in search of something different.

They had the choice of living essentially anywhere in the Las Vegas Valley. But they wanted a real neighborhood, one without gates and with a community pool where they could socialize.

“I like this kind of place because Nicci is safe and there’s the park,” Gilles Imbert said, strolling down the empty streets. “On paper it’s great. On paper.”

Imbert and others in the slowly developing community near the Henderson Executive Airport are having second thoughts about their decision to be the first folks to call Inspirada home.

The problem is, not many others have joined them to date. So these days the streets provide more opportunities for solitude than socializing — and for pondering the considerable differences between the idyllic image they were sold and the reality they are living.

Those spending their nights in Inspirada say their homes’ values have dropped and complain that the floor plans of new houses there have been downgraded because of the slumping market. There’s still a “For Lease” sign where residents say they were told a coffee shop would be open by now. Plus the homeowners association, at this point run by the homebuilders, has been a headache for some.

Inspirada’s New Urbanism style draws from a community design approach increasingly in vogue that seeks to turn back the clock to when many Americans lived in close-knit neighborhoods with schools, jobs, churches and parks within walking distance.

Eventually to include 13,500 homes built on 2,000 acres over 15 years, Inspirada will be a city within a city, a $7 billion community neighboring Anthem, itself a monument to master planning.

Its homes will have front porches. There will be parks nearby, and trails will allow residents to stroll to the market or the casino.

Lately, however, the housing market slump seems to be testing how committed Las Vegas developers and home buyers are to the New Urbanism concept — or any, for that matter.

In June 2004, Focus Property Group and seven homebuilders paid $557 million — more than double the appraised value — at a federal auction for the land on which Inspirada is being built. The next year Focus and eight builders paid $510 million for 1,710 acres in Kyle Canyon. The company also owns Mountain’s Edge.

In September, Focus Property hosted a grand opening for Inspirada with hot dogs and entertainment, showing off the new parks, the pools and the homes lining the streets.

Two months later Station Casinos paid $71 million for 45 acres in the community, but it has not announced building plans.

Market analysts said the sale showed Focus needed a quick infusion of cash. “We are doing fine,” Focus Chairman John Ritter told the Sun’s sister publication, In Business, in November. “We’ve got money in the bank. We are completely healthy and never missed a payment.”

Less than four months later, it did, missing an interest payment on its remaining $330 million Inspirada debt on Feb. 1.

“Focus Property Group remains financially viable and will continue its operations while seeking to strengthen its liquidity,” Ritter said in a statement after the missed payment.

Ritter and other representatives of the Inspirada development group did not respond to requests for interviews for this story.

About 200 homes, ranging from 1,300 square feet to 4,000 square feet and priced from $240,000 to $600,000, have been sold in Inspirada’s first phase. But it is unclear how many people actually live in the community, because some of the houses sold to date are second homes or hoped-for rental properties.

Some in the first wave of residents were drawn by the promise of a real community, one where neighbors interact with one another and the parks are filled with young families. The development will have five school sites, a fire station and a 300-acre town center with restaurants, grocery stores, offices and retail space.

“It felt inspired,” said Lacey Hawk, who moved in at the end of last year after living for nearly two years in Southern Highlands and meeting no neighbors. “It was the old style of people getting together. I thought this was going to be different.”

She had seen the advertisements.

“Imagine a community that reflects your spirit,” a TV ad says, showing a young woman walking from her home to a coffee shop, a school and a flower stand, then meeting her husband and child at a park.

There’s no telling, though, when such Norman Rockwellesque images may become reality.

Construction of the first phase of residences is continuing. The parks and pools in that section have been completed. The next planned step is another section of residences, to be followed by commercial building in the third phase.

Although Hawk, like others, expects the market will turn around, she and several neighbors said the values of their homes have plummeted by about $100,000.

Troubling as that is, Hawk is more concerned about the community HOA.

She didn’t expect such trivial matters as the color of her blinds to be regulated, because the community was supposed to reflect her spirit.

She’s currently battling the board about the future of a stone angel on her porch. The 1,500-pound angel blends in with the beige neighborhood. But HOA leaders — none of whom lives in Inspirada — say it must be moved.

The Imberts are upset that the retail space near the pool is still empty and that the pool itself did not open until recently.

For the moment, though, the neighbors are making the best of it. It’s only a couple of miles to Eastern Avenue, where they can shop till they drop. They have made some friends in the community, even though in some cases the bonding was born of disillusionment. And though the parks are mostly empty, they are well-maintained.

The residents hope the future turns out the way it’s still being promised at the information center.

Resident Cynthia McCarty, for example, hopes to be able to make that walk to the grocery store sometime in the next decade.

“We’re out here in a strange holding pattern,” she said.

Discussion: 18 comments so far…

By dfh

5/21/08 at 7:13 a.m.

Suggest removal

Oh well it was a good idea at the time and may still be successful in the long run. But if it is going to have a Summerlin style HOA then I won't be moving there.

dfh
By jasonrothlv

5/21/08 at 11:55 a.m.

Suggest removal

I'm an Inspirada resident. I agree that growth has been slow. It's expected given the current market conditions. People just need to be patient. Things will turn around. Frankly, I'm completely sick of these alarmist articles that paint a picture otherwise.

Living in the neighborhood has been great for us. We've met a lot of neighbors and we get together frequently for BBQs, etc. It's all about what you make of your neighborhood/community. I've lived in many neighborhoods in the valley and, despite the fact that it's still small, I've never lived in one as social as Inspirada. I lived in Silverado Ranch for a number of years and never met our next door neighbors. They never bothered to come out of their house.

Regarding the HOAs, I won't argue with the fact that they're strict. But it's for the better. That lady with the stupid, hideous angel statue on her front porch is a big joke in the neighborhood. Everybody knows that house. When we give directions to our house, it usually includes "turn left right after the house with the ugly statue."
By mikeg

5/21/08 at 4:04 p.m.

Suggest removal

So...you're saying that without that angel, people would not be able to find your house? Sounds like you owe that lady a thank you lol.

Paris France to Henderson NV. Sacre Bleu. That's gotta be an adjustment.
By canyonflyer

5/21/08 at 5:52 p.m.

Suggest removal

Alarmist article indeed.
I'm also a resident of Inspirada and think this is an awesome neighborhood with great people. I'm in no hurry to see this place built out. Quiet is good.

I would also like to comment on the 1500 pound "stone angel" statue.
With the screaming deal she got on her house, there was never a thought to reading the CC&Rs.
I've dealt with plenty of HOAs and to think this lawn art would add to the general look of a southwest neighborhood is foolish.

The statue could be life-size replica of Jimmy Hendrix (great musician) and I still have a problem with it. Move it to the back yard. I have friends joke about the statue. Can any longtime Vegas residents remember the name Lonnie Hammargren?
By laniac

5/21/08 at 7:58 p.m.

Suggest removal

I am not a resident of the area, but my parents have lived in Henderson for 15 years and I have made countless visits to the area.

I was continually shocked by the amount of endless building that I saw throughout the 90s and early/mid 00s. I figured most of it was speculation and not real housing demand - even though Vegas was having a strong influx of people.

I truly hope it all works out for you all who have bought in these massive sub-divisions, but my belief is that given the soaring cost of energy and travel, coupled with the tanking economy, Vegas is in for some very tough times ahead. Even with that being said, I still like the area and would consider buying there when I retire due to the low cost of living.
By Stroh

5/22/08 at 3:27 a.m.

Suggest removal

Lawn art is subjective. Gnomes, etc.
1500 pound angel or stand near a window when someone is on their way to your house which looks like all the others.
By Inspirada_Homeowner

5/22/08 at 5:05 p.m.

Suggest removal

Let me start by saying that I am a resident of Inspirada and one of the few people who built my home from the foundation. I am very unhappy about the fall of prices after my home closed, not affording me the discounts. I think it is safe to say that the shift in the market has had more of an impact on a seedling of a master community like Inspirada than say a 400 home development. I, like so many others am not happy about the new plainer facades. Inspirada architecture was presented as very dressy and diversified in styling, and the builders should uphold the standards set forth from the beginning. I do agree that it would be great to have a coffee shop and other retail shops right around the corner, however convenient shopping is available to us thanks to Anthem Highlands.

As for the HOA, I think that the general intentions are to establish and maintain a community that is aesthetically pleasing to everyone. Anyone who has owned in an HOA community knows that it can be frustrating at times, but just drive by a couple of communities without guidelines and I think most would agree it has a positive impact on day to day living as well as property values. I think that the "angel" situation has many issues; the size, the placement, and religious connotations. The angel is very large an placed on the front porch where it is highly visible. Not everyone can identify with angels or is "inspired" by the same icons. Although Ms. Hawk is understandably upset that something she loves is deemed unacceptable by the HOA, other residents should be taken into her consideration on the matter.

The most important thing that I would like to address is our ability as individuals to elevate and support our community in order to achieve the type of living that can be available at Inspirada. Like many other people, I have found myself disappointed and concerned in some of the changes and unfulfilled expectations. However, I would hope that our commitment to further our community would out-shadow our desire to condemn it. After only eight months of less of residing in Inspirada, it may be a little premature to discount it's viability and merits.
By kastertroy

5/23/08 at 12:33 p.m.

Suggest removal

It's amazing to me how many of these people have a problem with an "angel" on a porch. If there was a church across the street with angels on the building would they complain about that too?? Heck no!!! Everyone would be like... Wow look how pretty that church is!!
But in this case it seems like it's just a bunch of idiotic people who have nothing better to do with their time than complain about a statue that they only see when they drive by. Can these complainers see the statue from their own home??? Doubtful.
I think mini vans are ugly so if I see one in somebody's driveway I'm gonna complain to my association!! Sounds pretty ridiculous huh!!!
By Hawk

5/23/08 at 1 p.m.

Suggest removal

After reading some of these comments I feel that I need to set the record straight regarding the angel on my porch... Before closing on my home I disclosed to the sales staff that I intended to put the angel on my porch and was told that there would be no issue with it as there were no design guidelines in place yet, and so anything I did to the exterior of my home would be grandfathered. I did not, for one moment, believe that the statue would cause so much animosity in the neighborhood. It certainly was not my intention to evoke anger amongst my neighbors. I just feel that I was given misinformation before purchasing my home that is now causing me a hardship, and apparenty others in the neighborhood. The statue does have meaning to me, and due to the weight of it, it cannot simply be moved. And so I am now in the process of trying to sell the statue. I hope that the neighbors that find it offensive will be happier once it is gone. However, I am saddened at the nature of the comments that have been made, such as I am a joke in the neighborhood because I happen to have a statue of an angel on my porch. Angels usually are inspirational, and in speaking with numerous neighbors personally I have found that most of them are supportive in my keeping it. I have lived in two other Master planned communities before moving here and no one complained about it. So you see, I am surprised that there have been complaints here. I love my home and want very much to have positive relationships with my neighbors... it is why I moved here.
Also, I want everyone to know that I personally did not make a comment regarding the $100,000 decline in our home values. It is a misquote, and I have requested a retraction...
All the best to everyone... your neighbor with the angel.
By Terry

5/23/08 at 1:46 p.m.

Suggest removal

I am shocked at the meanness of some of these comments regarding the angel statue, and I have to wonder about the nature of those people writing them. I happen to know that the homeowner is a faith healer and she has healed a tremendous amount of people all over the world. She dedicates her life to helping others. Those of you who are so judgmental… what kind of people are you? You know nothing about this woman and yet you make snide and hurtful comments about her. I think that instead of paying so much attention to the angel, maybe you should take a good look at yourselves.
By lola

5/24/08 at 10:23 a.m.

Suggest removal

I am a local realtor who has sold many homes in the beautiful Inspirada community. There is not a community like it in Vegas! I have been selling homes there since the community first opened and I have "NOT" seen a $100,000 price drop nor do I expect to. As we all know, the Vegas housing market has seen a slump for the past 24 months. Anyone who thinks Inspirada is in a bubble of its own and should not be affected by the declining market is living in a dream world. However, the homeowners who were lucky enough to buy in this market were the lucky ones because in a normal market the beautiful homes they purchased would be much much more.

As for the homeowner with the statue, I drive by it quite often and love it as do my clients. I have spoken to the homeowner personally and have found her to be sensitive, normal and most concerned with what her neighbors think. I find it quite interesting how crule people can be when they are writing a blog!
By lola

5/24/08 at 10:27 a.m.

Suggest removal

I would also like to add that after speaking with the homeowner, she has stated that her quote in the paper with regards to the $100,000 price decrease was a complete misquote and did not make that statement.
By calikitten118

5/28/08 at 11:43 a.m.

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could anybody tell me the name of the HOA? We were just out in Henderson looking at Inspirada and we forgot to ask. Any estimates on HOA fees would be great too. Thanks!
By Hawk

5/30/08 at 2:18 p.m.

Suggest removal

HOA is CCMC... dues are $285.00 quarterly.
By calikitten118

5/30/08 at 3:37 p.m.

Suggest removal

thank you very much!
By marnevegas

6/3/08 at 11:16 a.m.

Suggest removal

I am a resident of Inspirada too, but I so very much regret buying here! I had an uneasy feeling when we first signed the contract, so I guess I should've listened to my inner voice!

I was laughing about the angel statue too! We also give directions to our house based on that thing!! Somebody needs to post a photo of it; it's pretty bad! Why can't it be put in the private backyard? But then again, it does help my guests find our house! Ha ha.
By neighbor

6/6/08 at 5:25 p.m.

Suggest removal

As a neighbor to the Angel on the porch and Ms Hawk, I have often thought
how I wished I had a great piece of art for my porch. It’s been sad for me to
read the unkind comments, from some of the residents. I had hoped that buying
into Inspirada I’d find people drawn here that wanted what Inspirada was advertising.
To be happy,inspired and supported.
However, reading these comments, I see it’s not so. I also know that my neighbor
is a Faith Healer and has tirelessly assisted people around the world for years.
I agree that perhaps the people that spend time making an issue about this women’s
statue, might think again about personal freedom, you might just be supporting
The Lack of Your Own, Personal Freedom. With that, I also feel the HOA has stepped
Over the line, and has gone passed the basic support that an HOA was originally Designed for.
By AngryAmerican

8/19/08 at 8:16 a.m.

Suggest removal

I am not a Vegas citizen, but I will be in the future. This comment is for Hawk and her critics. Hawk, if I were you I would keep the statue, as is your right. If you're grandfathered, then keep it. Shove it right back in the rather large and certainly callused noses of those who would criticize you for decorating your home, your way. You are a victim of HOA abuses that have become prevalent in today's society. Unfortunately, if people want to live in new homes, chances are they are going to have to deal with an HOA that will have a right to decide everything about your home from the color of your paint to what kind of car will be allowed to park in your driveway.

I myself have had the discussion with my wife, and we will not ever buy anywhere there is an HOA present. The reason is simple: Freedom goes out the window, replaced with HOA officials passing unreasonable neighborhood guidelines.

Sure, no one wants to live in a community where the neighbors don't take reasonable care of their property, but so much of what HOA's are doing goes above and beyond upkeep.

Imagine an HOA telling you that a rose bush in your yard has to be removed. Imagine now that your home has a lien on it by the HOA for that bush or because your home is the wrong color or you had a dinner party in which one of your guests parked his or her car on the street.

These types of infractions are all to frequent and often you become a prisoner in your own home, unable to make even the smallest decisions regarding how you would like to live in the home you paid 200 to 400k for.

Think for one second, maybe the housing slump is not the cause of the slow development of this community. Maybe rather the people looking for homes out there will not live with HOA infringement in their lives. Maybe they are moving down the road to somewhere they can truly be free in their own property.

Too many times people sign their contracts without reading the HOA's guidelines. If more people would refuse to live in these places, and stand up to these Orwellian infringements on rights, then these HOA's would either self regulate or be replaced by city ordinances that were worried less about what you have in your yard and more about simply whether or not it has been maintained.

So, Hawk, keep your statue. Hell, I haven't seen it, and probably wouldn't like it. But then, it's not on my property so I don't care. If it was, I would have it removed if I didn't like it. But who am I to tell you what to do with your home that you paid between a quarter and a half a million dollars of your hard earned money to buy?

No one should have that right. But you.

Thanks,
AngryAmerican