But until recently, the nature of the properties available at Suncadia has meant that making the resort home — either as a primary residence or a vacation property — was out of reach for many Pacific Northwest families.

Detached homes at the resort typically start around $800,000 — a price point that precluded some families from purchasing there. Condominiums have been available as more-affordable alternatives, but they are not suitable for families who want the convenience of a front door, and easy in-and-out access to the Suncadia lifestyle.

Two new Suncadia neighborhoods are working to change that with an attainable in-between option. New townhomes currently under development in Talisman Village and Trailhead will bring down the cost of an entry-level home and make Suncadia homeownership a possibility for a wider range of families, says Roger Beck, managing director of Suncadia.

“We’re thrilled that these new neighborhoods will make it possible for more families to call Suncadia home,” says Roger Beck, managing director of Suncadia. “We’re looking forward to welcoming them to the Suncadia family.”

Talisman Village will offer fourplex homes priced from $475,000. Located steps from Suncadia’s Swim and Fitness Center, the neighborhood is a convenient option for families. Its location on a ridge also means many Talisman homes include views of the Cascade Mountains and the signature 10th hole of the Arnold Palmer-designed Prospector golf course.

Suncadia’s Trailhead community will also offer a townhome option: high-end duplexes built by third-generation builder — and Suncadia resident — Jeff Hansell of Swiftwater Custom Homes. These four-bedroom, 4.5-bath Trailhead Townhomes will be located at the heart of the resort, adjacent to the golf practice facility and close to Suncadia Lodge and its dining options, plus the Swim and Fitness Center. Trailhead also has its own family pool facility, exclusive to residents of the community.

Because of the units’ ample size, the Trailhead townhome option is particularly attractive to families looking to share a vacation home, or to offset costs by renting their property out. The homes will be eligible for Suncadia’s property management program.

For those in the market for a fully detached home, a number of new single-family homes will also be built in Talisman Village, and in another in-the-works Suncadia neighborhood: Miners Camp.

Built by Tamarack Springs, this third new development will have the feel of a traditional neighborhood, built around a community park with a firepit and sports court. The 1,900- to 2,800-square-foot homes, most of which have walkout basements, offer views of Roslyn Ridge.

 

Six months after moving into their new home, Steve and Jane Nelli are still astonished every time they walk in.

“Our great room, with its panoramic view of the golf course. It’s just … impressive, every time. It came out exactly the way we envisioned – no, better actually,” Steve says.

The Nellis’ home at Suncadia Resort, which was built by Lynn Romans of WoodRidge Custom Homes, was the culmination of a year’s worth of hard work – and what felt like thousands of decisions.

“That was a surprise, as a first-time home builder,” says Steve. “How much work it was. How many decisions you have to make. From the big stuff like cabinetry and flooring to the little things like faucets and door knobs.”

Getting to make those choices is exactly what draws many people to custom home-building, says Michael Eide of Eide Homebuilders. It means a bespoke home that’s a realization of your personal vision in every way – a dream for some, and a nightmare for others.

“If you don’t have the time to invest in those decisions, custom isn’t for you,” says Jeff Hansell of Swiftwater Homes. “You should buy something move-in-ready.”

So for those who do choose to go the custom route, how do you do it right?

Eide, Hansell, and Steve all agree: the key is finding the right builder.

“You need to choose a contractor that you get along with, that you can trust,” says Hansell.  “I like to say that you’re going to get married for almost a year, so you’d better make sure this is someone you can work with.”

And like any good marriage, your relationship should be based on communication and honesty.

“Everyone needs to be upfront about their expectations from the get-go, especially around budget,” says Hansell. “I’ve had people at the end of a project tell me that they had this reserve budget set aside because they were told that everyone always goes over budget. In the end, that budget went unspent.”

Almost as important as hiring the right builder is hiring them at the right time – namely, as early in the process as possible, before design is finalized.

“Sometimes a client will come to me when everything’s designed,” says Eide. “At that point, it’s much harder to find cost savings. If we’re involved from the very beginning, we’re able to give cost estimates as the design proceeds so we can give them direction.”

Eide says this can have a huge impact on the bottom line. “When you plan and cost at the beginning, you’re able to strike a balance. What are the things that matter most to you? We might want to splurge a bit there, and we can balance that out with savings on the things that aren’t quite as important. It’s much more difficult to strike that balance when you’re making decisions as you go.”

According to Hansell, a good builder can help you establish those priorities by asking the right questions. “It’s not just a matter of, what kind of flooring do you like? A contractor considers the use of the home, where a family is in its lifecycle. We want to make sure that home is going to work for you, not just on move-in day, but for years and decades beyond. We want your home to be as future-proof as possible.”