But Teator found exactly what she wanted and four months later, she and her family are living in their new home at Kingwood Crossing by William Lyon Homes in The Vistas village of Summerlin.

Teator and her husband of 19 years, David, and their three children, selected the 2,515-square-foot Plan Three model at Kingwood Crossing during Summerlin's semi-annual event that showcases more than 60 model homes throughout the community. According to Teator, who moved from upstate New York, she was drawn to Summerlin for the quality of the community's schools, abundant lifestyle offerings, location and choice of home styles and prices.

"I am now living in my dream home in my dream neighborhood," Teator said. "David and I were looking for a house where we could live happily for the rest of our lives and we believe we've found it. It's perfect."

Teator said she enjoys many options in her new home and the open floor plan, downstairs master bedroom and laundry room, and private upstairs area are most important to her.

Teator is one of hundreds of Summerlin residents who have found a home through America's Biggest Open House, a semi-annual open house event that is held every spring and fall in the community.

America's Biggest Open House is scheduled next weekend, Oct. 18 and 19, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., in more than 14 different neighborhoods located in four Summerlin villages: The Vistas, Summerlin Centre, The Mesa and The Ridges. More than 60 model homes from 937 to nearly 6,000 square feet will be open and on display. Home prices range from the mid-$200,000s to more than $2 million. Home styles include single-, two- and three-story homes, lofts and townhomes.

Visitors can conduct their own virtual tour of Summerlin -- before they visit the community -- by visiting AmericasBiggestOpenHouse.com, which is also accessible through Summerlin.com. Both Web sites are designed to assist buyers with home information, including price range, location, style and information on the community's home builders.

"We want to make the homebuying process as productive and convenient as possible," said Nikkole Liesse, marketing director for Summerlin. "We encourage everyone to visit the Web site first to map out which neighborhoods and homes they want to visit."

All neighborhoods participating in the fall America's Biggest Open House event will feature a festive atmosphere, including balloons, refreshments and prize drawings, including a General Growth Properties $500 American Express gift card redeemable at Fashion Show, The Grand Canal Shoppes, The Shoppes at The Palazzo, Meadows Mall and The Boulevard Mall.

Liesse suggested prospective homebuyers make a day of their visit to Summerlin.

"Coupons from Mark Rich's New York Style Pizza & Pasta and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf are included on a special America's Biggest Open House driving map that can be downloaded from AmericasBiggestOpenHouse.com or picked up at any participating neighborhood sales center," she said. "Visitors can stop for a piece of pizza or a quick cup of coffee while on their self-guided Summerlin tour."

Developed by The Howard Hughes Corp., an affiliate of General Growth Properties Inc., Summerlin began to develop in 1990.

Located along the western rim of the Las Vegas Valley, Summerlin encompasses 22,500 acres with about 9,000 acres still remaining to accommodate future growth within the master plan, including the community's urban core of Summerlin Centre.

The community is home to more than 95,000 residents who enjoy an unparalleled list of amenities.

These include more than 100 neighborhood and village parks, more than 150 completed miles of the Summerlin Trail System, nine golf courses, a dozen houses of worship, shopping centers, medical and cultural facilities, business parks, 22 public and private schools and nearly 100 actively selling floor plans.

Homes are available in a variety of styles -- from single-family homes to townhomes, condominiums and lofts -- priced from the mid-$200,000s to more than $2 million.

Custom home sites in The Ridges are priced from the $500,000s.

Luxury apartment homes offer monthly rents starting from the $900s. For more information on Summerlin, visit summerlin.com or call 888-898-5015.