PRESS RELEASE

San Jose Mercury News
October 24, 2003

GOT TREES? CUSTOM HOMESITES AT SERRANO ARE "MUST SEES"

Custom lots at foothills community are in wooded areas or on golf course

New home buyers who dream of building their own custom home within a prestigious golf course community can select from a variety of homesites now at Serrano in El Dorado Hills. The master planned community offers custom homesites in wooded settings with mature Oak trees, as well as sites on the golf course or backing to natural open space.

These scenic custom homesites in the rolling Sierra foothills are priced from approximately $155,000 to more than $500,000 and range from one-third to more than one acre in size.

Located 25 minutes from downtown Sacramento at the gateway to the Sierra foothills, Serrano is a 3,500-acre master-planned community with spectacular views of Folsom Lake and the snow-capped mountains.

Serrano offers 1,000 acres of open space, miles of trails for hiking and biking, and a private country club and golf course. Residents of Serrano enjoy its gated villages, quiet streets, neighborhood parks and highly rated on-site and nearby schools.

"Buyers are astonished when they see the remarkable variety of custom homesites," says Carolyn Olmo, a representative of Serrano's custom lot sales team. "We have nearly 60 homesites available within the gated custom residential village. Our featured lot is studded with beautiful mature Oak trees and backs to open space with a seasonal creek. It's an ideal setting.

"And fall is a great time to visit. If you're planning a trip to Apple Hill or Lake Tahoe, Serrano is right on the way."

Upon the purchase of a homesite, buyers can choose from Serrano's broad selection of custom builders to design the home of their dreams. Buyers may also bring in their own custom builder. There is no time restriction on when the buyer must begin building their home.

Buyers interested in a custom home already completed and available for immediate move-in may choose from a selection of custom "spec" homes priced from the $800,000s to nearly $2 million.

Schools, country club and recreation

Serrano's amenities are attracting buyers who want the best of everything -- top schools and a recreational lifestyle, balanced with security and serenity.

Serrano's families are assured of a quality education with the community's schools K-12 -- located on-site and nearby -- consistently ranking high in state test score results. The schools and community are recognized for their student enrichment programs, extra curricular activities and sports programs.

The prestigious Serrano Country Club is a premier club with a private, award-winning 34,000-square-foot clubhouse and par-72 championship golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Serrano currently has a limited number of country club memberships available, from social memberships to full golf memberships.

While Serrano's trails are popular for hiking and biking, the community is only 10 minutes from Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, which offers an extensive trail system as well as camping, picnicking, horseback riding, fishing and boating.

Other easy daytrip adventures include touring the wine regions of El Dorado and Amador counties, rafting and kayaking on the American River, and snow skiing in the Lake Tahoe's area -- just 75 minutes away.

Community spirit, village shopping and business opportunities

Serrano's friendly, family-oriented neighborhoods give it a small town feel. "Nearly everyone in the neighborhood is new to the area, so new residents have an immediate common bond with their neighbors," explains Olmo. "They enjoy meeting new friends at Serrano's community picnics, concerts and events."

El Dorado Hills offers shopping villages with upscale markets, cafes, eateries and other services. The historic town of Folsom, only 10 minutes away, has several major retail outlets and fine restaurants.

Buyers who seek to relocate their Bay Area businesses may take advantage of the 890-acre business park in El Dorado Hills, offering space for research and development, light industrial and technology related companies. The business park currently houses 200 companies and 6,000 employees, and can accommodate a variety of square footage needs.

Serrano residents may also find it practical to continue to work in the Bay Area, either by commuting or telecommuting.

In addition to custom homesites, Serrano currently has eleven new neighborhoods offering 36 beautifully furnished models to tour. Homes within these new communities by locally and nationally recognized builders are priced from the low $300,000s to the $600,000s and range from 1,752 to 4,900 square feet.

Serrano is being developed by Parker Development Company of Sacramento and Catellus Residential Group of San Francisco.

To visit Serrano from the Bay Area, take Highway 50 East from Sacramento and exit at El Dorado Hills Blvd. Go north (right) on El Dorado Hills Blvd. Turn right at Serrano Parkway and follow the signs to the Serrano Visitors Center, open Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The model homes are open daily until 5 p.m. Visit the community's website at www.serranoeldorado.com.

Information on the custom lot incentive program can be obtained by contacting Carolyn Olmo at the Serrano Visitors Center toll free at 888-458-9739.