Along with Tellez and Charrick's chosen upgrades such as Silestone countertops and tile flooring throughout, the partners opted for an attached casita with bath.

It was this structural option that changed their lives.

"Gordon began his own graphic arts and promotional printing company, Southwest Logo, this year," Tellez said. "He moved his offices into our new casita, and business has really started to take off."

Tellez and Charrick continue to make plans for the home. At 2,360 square feet, the Sonoma offers up to five bedrooms, three baths and a three-car split garage.

The great-room layout off a gated courtyard entry, separate dining room and island kitchen with counter bar seating, rival custom-home designs in space and configuration. A downstairs bedroom adjacent to a full bath can be used for guests.

"We saw every new home in the valley," Tellez said, "constructed by every home builder. It was the intimate neighborhood setting, unique floor plan and the design elements of a well-built home that brought us back to Meritage Homes and Geyser Peak."

Geyser Peak is a gated neighborhood of one- and two-story homes.

The neighborhood is entering grand finale sales with great buyers' incentives on all available designs. Four floor plans include the Ricci Plan One, a single-story design of 2,022 square feet; the 2,360-square-foot Sonoma with four bedrooms, three baths and great-room layout; the 2,839-square-foot Vallerga Plan three and the 2,865-square-foot Alexander Plan Four with up to five bedrooms and four baths.

Home are priced from the mid-$200,000s.

The models and sales office are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Monday when they open at 11 a.m.

For more information, visit MeritageHomes-NV.com.