Active adult living: Heritage Highlands a nice mix

Retirees traditionally look for a little peace and quiet, away from the noise of frisky children and noisy teenagers. Active adult communities, restricted to residents 55 and older, provide this quieter setting, but with the added bonus of plenty of recreational amenities and activities for the residents.

At Heritage Highlands in Lovettsville in Loudoun County, Lennar Corp. is developing a community with a blend of rural peace, community amenities and easy access to commuter routes, including the MARC train. Heritage Highlands, which is settled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, will include 80 homes. In addition to the scenic views, residents can enjoy close proximity to Lovettsville Town Center, shopping centers such as Dulles Town Center and commuter routes into Maryland and the rest of Northern Virginia.

Heritage Highlands also will include a recreation center with fitness equipment, a meeting room, showers and saunas. A paved walking trail will wind through the development for outdoor recreation.

Priced from $279,990, the homes include three bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and a one-car garage. Monthly homeowner association fees are $155.

The homes have brick and siding exteriors with a covered front porch, low-maintenance vinyl siding and professional landscaping. Each one-car garage includes an automatic door opener with two transmitters.

Inside, the homes have hardwood flooring in the foyer, kitchen and breakfast area; 9-foot ceilings; ceramic tile flooring in the baths; brass lever-style door hardware; prewiring for ceiling fans in the bedrooms, and cable and phone outlets throughout the house.

The homes have an unusual craftsman-style stair railing and upgraded kitchen cabinets with stainless steel appliances and under-cabinet lighting. The master bath has a soaking tub and separate shower along with a raised vanity with a double sink.

The Ashcroft model features a covered front porch leading into the foyer, which opens into the open living and dining room, which has a corner fireplace and a triple window. Just beyond the dining area is the kitchen, which includes a peninsula with a breakfast bar next to the breakfast nook. A sliding glass door links the breakfast area with a covered patio for easy outdoor dining.

The laundry room is adjacent to the kitchen and has a door to the garage, which has a storage closet.

The main level also has a den with double doors, windows on two sides and two closets. A powder room is placed just outside the den. The master suite has a walk-in closet, a bedroom with a double window, and a luxury bath.

Upstairs, the second bedroom has a standard closet and is adjacent to a full bath. The third bedroom or bonus room has a standard closet and a deep dormer area with a double window. This level also has a storage room and a long closet off the hall.

For more information or directions to Heritage Highland, call Helen Johnson or Katy Barr-Myers, 877/718-8943, or visit www.lennar.com.