POST FALLS - Viking Construction Inc., of Hayden, is beginning to sell lots and homes in its new development in Post Falls, which it's calling The Village at Syringa Gardens.

Syringa Gardens will be a gated neighborhood for homeowners age 55 and older, said Wendell Olson, president of Viking. Typical residents will be "empty nesters" looking to downsize from larger family homes and those seeking more security and less maintenance and spend time living south in the winter.

The development is on 10 acres on the northwest corner of the intersection of Poleline Avenue and Syringa Street, and will have cottage-style homes on 70 lots, with prices ranging from $175,000 to $199,000. The prices include the land and house.

The homes were designed by Viking, which also will be the general contractor.

The homes will range in size from about 1,100 square feet, with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, to about 1,800 square feet, with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms on roughly one-tenth acre lots.

There will be 19 lots in the development's first phase, Olson said. He said one sales contract has been signed and there are reservations on four other lots.

The infrastructure is in place to begin building the homes as the lots are sold, he said.

Viking is offering six different floor plans, which can be customized for homeowners.

The homes are what Viking is calling "rear-load," with garages and alleys in back. Each will have its own enclosed patio courtyard in back. There is a 7.5-acre park just north of the neighborhood.

Lawn care and snow removal will be taken care of for residents, and there will be a homeowners association. The dues will start at $180 per month.

Two model homes have been built and will be furnished and ready for the grand opening scheduled for noon to 6 p.m. Saturday. The two homes will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

Olson said he's encouraged by the interest shown in the homes so far. He said 60 people have committed to be at Saturday's opening.

"I think there's strong demand," Olson said.

He said the homes are a niche product that isn't widely available in Kootenai County.

Cyndy Bilstad and Chris McCulley, of Coldwell Banker Tomlinson Realty, are the listing agents.