Las Vegas Couple Finds First Home at ‘Independence’

For Dianna Ballash, 25, and her husband, Joseph McLaughlin, 25, their home at Independence by Astoria Homes has been more than just a place to live, but a dream home that complements their busy lifestyles, and fits in with their eco-friendly mindset.

First-time homeowners, Dianna and Joseph visited two other homebuilders before coming across Independence in the Southwest part of Las Vegas. Both are natives of Las Vegas and alumni of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, so naturally the two wanted to buy their first home in the valley, where both of their families still reside. The couple was pleasantly surprised by their first impression of the dynamic community and knew they had come to the right place.

“As soon as we saw Independence for the first time, we were hooked,” said Dianna, a writer/producer for the Las Vegas Valley Water District’s television programming. “The community is beautiful, and our house is amazing and energy conscious.”

Dianna and Joseph purchased Residence 522, with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms. It also has a nice area in front of the home where the couple immediately went to work planting their first garden.Dianna and Joseph count the balcony off the master bedroom and the unique layout of the ground floor as their favorite features.

“The way the kitchen is cut out so you can see into the living room makes it look and feel very open,” said Dianna. “It is perfect for company.”

A hugely successful neighborhood that sold-out in record time, Independence is one of Astoria Homes’ “Triumph Neighborhoods,” which feature quality homes with all the amenities of other homes at a significantly lower price point. The goal of the concept is to help first-time homebuyers achieve the American dream of home ownership in prime neighborhoods that offer lush parks, sparkling pools, and fun playgrounds.

“One of the major selling points for Joe and I was how affordable the homes were compared to what other builders were offering,” said Dianna. “Astoria Homes gave us many more options to choose from.”

Dianna and Joseph both consider themselves environmentalists and believe in the importance of conservation. The Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program is a staple of Astoria Homes’ communities and proved to be a huge selling point for the couple, as they would not purchase a home unless it was certified by the government agency. In addition, Dianna’s work for the Las Vegas Valley Water District has taught her a great deal about water issues and the importance of saving our resources.

 “We are lucky that our yard doesn’t have a lot of grass,” said Dianna. “The less lawn you have, the more water and money you save. It is also very important to have ENERGY STAR in your home to help decrease the amount of energy consumption.”

For a couple that loves spending time outdoors, the Independence neighborhood has a lot to offer with its picturesque parks, playgrounds, covered picnic tables, pools with cabanas, and open grassy areas. Dianna enjoys taking their loveable beagle Lexie for walks to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

“We really like the parks and the pools. It is just a nice neighborhood to walk around in,” said Dianna. “It gives us a chance to meet and interact with all of our friendly neighbors.”

When asked whether she and her husband would recommend Astoria Homes to friends and family, Dianna was already one step ahead.

“As soon as we found the community, we started recommending it to everyone we knew who was searching for a home,” said Dianna. “It really is a great place to live.”